‘VIPs can seek exemption from 30 kph speed limit’

IS there a way to speed through the South Coastal Road  without getting stopped for violating the 30 to 40 kph speed limit?

Some official business by government personnel may merit an exemption.

If you are a VIP and in a hurry, let us know, said Joy Tumulak, operations chief of the Citom.

Tumulak told reporters on Wednesday that concerned parties can coordinate beforehand with his office when urgent trips require them to go beyond the limit so that Citom can “inform personnel manning the SRP about trips involving Very Important Persons (VIP).”

He also advised parties from local government units to plan their trips earlier.

He was in Talisay City Hall to request Talisay Mayor Johnny de los Reyes to assist Citom in dealing with the emergence of “colorum” private vehicles that ferry passengers  for a fee from Cebu to Talisay while passing through SRP.

Tumulak was asked about  the lament of Talisay city officials who earlier said the new 30 kph-40kph speed limit enforced by Cebu City traffic officials on the SRP would cause delays in urgent trips.

“We have hard time managing our time; 60 kph is all right. But if the speed limit is only 30 or 40 kph, how do we catch up with our schedules?” asked Solomon Paypa, chief executive secretary of Mayor de los Reyes.

Tumulak said the speed limit is based on Article 8, Sec. 2 of the 1973 Cebu City Traffic Code.

The  speed limit for national highways or open highways has always been 30 or 40 kph since the ordinance has not been amended for a long time.

The ordinance says ambulances, patrol vehicles, and fire trucks are exempted from the speed limit but it doesn’t mention “emergency vehicles”, he said so all other vehicles, including government-owned units, should adhere to the law.

Vehicles from the south bound for Cebu City often pass the SRP to avoid traffic congestion in the Talisay national highway.