Road congestion in Cebu City, and across Metro Cebu for that matter, is expected to worsen not only during the Christmas and New Year holidays but in January when the annual Sinulog and Fiesta Señor roll out.
Mayor Michael Rama last week announced he’s taking a direct hand in the problem, with “hands on” steering of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom).
His new appointee for Citom executive director must be pondering where exactly he comes in.
Victor Caindic, a businessman who’s served four years in the Citom board, needs a clear idea of what’s expected of him as executive director after Rama’s front page announcement that makes the role of the newcomer somewhat ambiguous.
Who’s the boss in traffic?
Does the mayor just set policy directions (if so what’s the Citom board for?) Or does the mayor call the shots at will, as he did in single handedly ordering a no-left-turn rule for motor vehicle traffic in the Banilad-Talamban road last September?
It’s no surprise that Caindic has been low key and buying time to discuss further his role with the mayor before making his own moves.
After all, as traffic gets more congested, someone is going to take major heat.
The gridlocks and slow moving vehicles in the heart of Cebu City, spilling over to Mandaue and Talisay, even beyond rush hour, were not this bad last year. One factor is the ongoing road rehabilitation projects, rushed for the last quarter, that have caused several detours.
The scramble for seats in PUJs and taxis has never been this bitter.
Everyone expects that extra errands, last-minute, shopping, hyper-sales in malls and extra trips would cause grief on the road during the holidays.
But the scale and intensity are off the charts this month. Nobody escapes. Traffic officials have taken to advising people to stay home unless it’s necessary to move around.
Mobility is one of the attributes of a livable city, which is the grand vision of Mayor Rama for Cebu.
Clearly, it will take more than a new Citom executive director or a strong-willed mayor with a fast-fix proposal to address an urban problem that has progressed over the years, crossing boundaries to metro cities in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay and the suburbs.
Too many vehicles on the street. An outdated traffic signal system that malfunctions. An increasing population of residents and visitors, who are welcomed as tourists and investors. Roads that are being repaired, but not added.
It’s a tall order to expect traffic throughout the holiday season and Sinulog in January to be tamed.
Before we blame the traffic czar – is that Mayor Rama or Caindic? – accept the fact that the problem is bigger than a single person , and that it’s up to drivers to show more patience and courtesy on the road, and to follow rules, even if they feel someone else is getting the upperhand. As for the riding public, face it, we have to be smart about making trips and head out early for appointments. This problem won’t go away soon.
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