Good to share the road but get a permit – Citom chief

Sell the idea to the public first. Then apply for a road use permit.

This was the advice of Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) head Rafael Yap to organizers of the road sharing scheme proposed for the last Sunday of September.

While he supports the idea of road sharing, Yap said organizers have to convince Cebuanos of its value and increase public awareness.

“They will have to explain it to the Cebuanos that is is for the good of all so the people will be guided. Information dissemination and consultations are not for Citom to do,” he said.

Yap said that based on the organizers’ presentation, Citom office would also identify how to assist in its implementation.

“I support the idea because the science of traffic management points to the fact that motor vehicle usage is not sustainable in the long run,” he said.

There are legal requirements as well.

Like other organizers of parades and fun runs, supporters of the Green Loop Plan must submit a letter request for use of some city streets for their pilot road sharing proposal.

This will be deliberated by the Citom board. If approved, a road use permit would then be issued by the City Treasurer’s Office after payment of required fees.

Yap said the permit may only be issued for a one-time experiment.

“If the outcome of the experiment is okay, then we can proceed with doing the road sharing every Sunday,” he said.

Some government and business sector representatives pledged their support for the 2014 Cebu Green Loop Plan, a long-term blueprint for sustainable development to spread growth to towns and cities, decongesting the city.

It inculdes a “green” transportation model in Metro Cebu by promoting fewer cars and establishing wider sidewalks and bike lanes.

Around 20 people initially signed the “declaration of intent to implement the law” which was passed around by environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr. in a meeting at the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) last Wednesday.

Architect Joy Onozawa Martinez,Movement for Livable Cebu (MLC) lead convenor Marc Canton, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) Regional Director Isabelo Montejo, CCCI president Tess Chan, Dean Joseph Michael “Yumi” Espina of the University San Carlos (USC) College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA), National Confederation of Transport Workers Union (NCTU) vice president Romeo Armamento and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) General Manager Ernie Delco were among those who signed the petition in their personal capacities.

Part of the plan is to introduce “green loops” in Cebu’s major cities starting with the main thoroughfares in Cebu City by the end of September.

Armamento of the transportation sector predicted that the road sharing initiative which will divide roads for bikers and pedestrians and PUJs will “cause a problem” because of the big change.

An information drive is needed to make jeepney drivers and operators understand the benefits of the scheme.

“Nagtuo ko nga experiential learning ni sya for all of us. Maka-cause ta ug problema ani. (We could cause problems with this),” he said, adding , “But we understand that this is a long process.”
Armamento said he will work closely with Oposa in the planning stage of the initiative by attending the meetings of the group.

Oposa said jeepney drivers and operators are the key to the success of the initiative.

“We have always perceived jeepneys as the problem but they’re actually a big part of the solution,” said the lawyer.

Oposa said signatures will be gathered for the petition and presented to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama on September 4.

Only two percent of the population own cars, said the petition.

“The 98 percent of our people who have no cars are not even given a proper walkway, a bike lane and a good public transportation option. This violates the citizen’s basic right to equal protection of the laws,” it stated.

“We have to do this with a sense of urgency because if we implement this idea in the next 20 years, it will be too late,” said Oposa.

“The problem is not global warming. It’s global whining. Instead of complaining, give us your ideas instead and work with us,” he added.

The 2014 Cebu Green Loop Plan was made by students and mentors of the University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts (USC-CAFA) in cooperation with Cebu experts in urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental science, environmental law and community organizing.

DENR 7 Director Montejo said there “is no better time to unite” especially with the need to reduce air pollution in the metropolis.

“Panahon na para di ta mag-away away. Maghugpong na ta. (It’s time for us not to fight. Let’s be united). If we do this right, I don’t think there’s any reason to fear,” said Montejo.

Related Stories:

Pilot of road sharing in Capitol streets aims to decongest traffic

national roads sharing day

Road-sharing experiment