JVR open to one-month motorcycle ban in SRP

Joy Tumulak (left), operations chief of CITOM visit Talisay City mayor Johnny De los Reyes (right) to ask for help in stopping colorum vehicles from Talisay City using the South Coastal Road to Cebu City.(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes said yesterday that he is open to a one-month ban on motorcycles at the South Road Properties (SRP) that is being pushed by Cebu City Hall.

“I-test drive lang usa. Dili sa ingon nga mobabag ta diretso (Let’s test drive it first. Let’s not oppose it directly). If the results are good, then we go on with the ban. Otherwise, everything should be as it is,” the mayor said.

The mayor met with Joy Tumulak, operations chief of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), to discuss vehicular accidents and the presence of colorum vehicles in the SRP which is located 10 kilometers away from Talisay City.

“We know that Mayor (Michael Rama) declared SRP as dangerous and because of this, the 40 kph speed limit was implemented. If we can’t stop this, I am afraid this will affect the investments not only in Talisay City, but also in Cebu City,” Tumulak said.

The latest vehicular accident in the SRP claimed the life of a Dutch national who works in Talisay City.

Further study

Tumulak left the mayor a copy of CITOM’s accomplishment report containing the names of the drivers, plate numbers, and types of vehicles that use the SRP and a list of all accidents that occurred there.

The enforcement in the reduction of the speed limit in SRP started last January 24.

But Tumulak said they recorded 25 vehicular accidents in 26 days. He said 14 of those accidents involved motorcycles.

Tumulak said the Citom will wait for Rama’s decision to enforce the motorcycle ban.

“We accepted the suggestions which still require further study,” he said.

Monitor

Talisay City officials opposed the motorcycle ban, considering that majority of those who pass through the SRP are on motorcycles coming from Talisay City. But delos Reyes said he’s not rejecting the plan outright.

In yesterday’s press conference after meeting with Tumulak, delos Reyes said he’s also willing to help Cebu City deal with colorum vehicles passing through the SRP.

He said he will deploy City of Talisay Traffic Operation and Management (CT-TODA) personnel at the SRP to monitor these vehicles.

Tumulak said 90 percent of those who ride colorum vehicles are from Talisay City.

“Most passengers get on and off these vehicles in the city,” he told reporters yesterday.

The pick-up point in Cebu City is the Malacañang sa Sugbo, he said.

Tumulak said colorum vehicles are privately-owned and registered but are used for profit despite the lack of a permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

“We know that these kinds are prohibited and dangerous. Should accidents happen, no insurance can help,” he said.

Based on Land Transportation Office (LTO) surveillance last week, it was confirmed by a deputized agent that passengers can get a ride to Talisay City for P10 each.

As of February 17, Citom apprehended 19 colorum vehicles. Tumulak said the LTO and LTFRB were furnished copies of the vehicles’ records.