HANDS ON. Less than a month on the job, Citom executive director Victor Caindec helps guide traffic and supervises his men as they implement a new ‘3-1 lane” experiment in traffic flow in the Banilad-Talamban road on Monday morning, Jan. 5, 2015. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
After working in the corporate world, Victor Emmanuel Caindec is crossing over to public service.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama appointed the 40-year-old businessman to head the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) on Dec. 14, 2014.
Caindec replaced lawyer Rafael Yap as executive director after serving on the Citom board for almost two years as a private sector representative, appointed by Mayor Rama in 2011.
Profile
Age: 40
Address: Cebu City
Occupation: Management Consultant (present)
President, Luminance Lighting Inc. (2011 – Nov. 2014)
Country Leader, Philips Consumer Lifestyle Phils
(2008 – 2011)
Status: Married with four children
Education:
Management graduate, University of the Philippines Cebu (1995)
UP Cebu High School graduate (1991)
Who is Victor Caindec?
I have been raised, educated and worked in Cebu since 1974. … a senior management executive, immersed in corporate culture of multinational organizations. A leader adept in managing change and navigating organizational complexity. An individual with strong demonstrated capabilities in delivering positive business results.
What were your contributions as a member of the Citom board?
I raised the issue of butane canister safety, and tunnel lighting and pushed for stricter implementation of traffic laws.
I also lobbied for a more comprehensive scorecard management system for Citom.
What was in your mind when Mayor Rama asked you to head the Citom office.
Me and my big mouth.
How long did it take for you to accept the appointment?
Not long. I simply wanted to make sure the conditions of my appointment were in order and that expectations were clear.
What factors did you consider in making your decision?
I didn’t consider anything.
Is it worth it?
It remains to be seen.
What was in your mind when you took over the position from Rafael Yap?
Goodbye, Christmas vacation.
Do you consider yourself qualified for the position?
If we qualify traffic management as a specific subject, NO. If we consider my management background, then YES.
Citom’s challenge at present is not the introduction of innovative traffic interventions. We have several laws to address that. The real challenge is evaluation and managing the processes that Citom needs to comply with internally, so we can deliver effective and sustainable traffic management services.
Do you have a background in traffic management?
No, although my thesis in UP High School was about the SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System) which was still being implemented for Cebu city traffic signals at the time.
What do you think is causing traffic congestion in the city?
People being indifferent and callous. Discipline is a virtue, and we have lost that on our roads.
Caindic manning traffic along Banilad-Talamban road
What are your plans? How will you address congestion in the city?
Implement traffic rules without fear or favor. Engage stakeholders. Improve internal capabilities of Citom as a traffic body.
The no-left turn policy was recently implemented from Mango Avenue to F. Ramos Street. Are we to expect more experiments?
Yes. Not just no-left turns. We will also force motorists to make left turns in other sections.
How do you assess the F. Ramos experiment? Is it solving congestion in the area?
It was not meant to decongest Ramos of General Maxilom Avenue. It was meant to simplify (traffic) flow in Fuente Osmeña Circle and its collateral effect on traffic along Osmeña Boulevard and also B. Rodriguez Street
How long will Citom’s experiment last?
Until we see that traffic flow becomes predictable in all conditions (peak hours, holidays, etc.). In other words, when a motorist knows exactly what to expect.
Who is doing the assessment of the outcome of Citom’s experimentation?
We are.
Are you prepared for criticisms from irate motorists?
Yes.
How can Cebuanos contribute to addressing congestion in the city?
Instill self-discipline on the road. A lot of people are doing the wrong thing (and it) does not make the wrong thing right.
What kind of car do you drive?
I have several. I don’t keep one too long for security reasons. I’m a member of AMRO and the Cebu Offroad Club.
What is your management style?
I am results-driven. If you do not perform, you will be managed.
How do you work with Mayor Rama who earlier announced that he would take over Citom management? Isn’t there competition or duplication of functions?
The mayor is the boss. The executive director takes the orders, processes the intent and implements as needed.
Who will take responsibility for lapses in Citom operations?
The Citom executive director.
How is Citom’s manpower now?
Not enough to manage a rapidly growing urban center like Cebu City.
Do you have enough enforcers?
No.
What are your plans for the enforcers? (salaries, more benefits, trainings, etc..)
Citom is going to be a department. There will be a lot of changes happening.
What are we to expect from Citom in the coming days?
Citom will be rigorous in ensuring we deliver effective traffic management services to constituents of Cebu City.
Motorists will be compelled to follow road signs and clear out intersection junctions, jeepneys have to stop in PUJ stops and pedestrians have to cross on pedestrian lanes only. Let’s start with those.
What are we to expect from Caindec in the coming days?
Working hard.
Happy New Year to one and all!