Cebu, Mandaue agree on one-way traffic flow
A late night dialog ended with officials of Cebu and Mandaue cities agreeing on a new rerouting scheme to allow one-way traffic along M. Logarta Street to relieve traffic congestion at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) in Mandaue City’s side.
Trucking companies in Mandaue had been howling about the congestion that was preventing cargo deliveries to the pier and the international container port in Cebu City.
Cebu City side traffic scheme
Mandaue re-routing scheme
Starting 6 a.m. yesterday, the scheme suggested by Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes was enforced with traffic enforcers and new signs posted.
The change “improved” traffic flow, said Rafael Yap, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) executive director, “but we will continue to observe the situation.”
Mandaue Mayor Cortes went to Cebu City Hall for a 9 p.m. closed-door meeting with counterparts led by Mayor Michael Rama.
“I told them Cebu City will always listen. As long as it’s fair for both, we will not argue,” Rama said later.
He said the traffic scheme presented by Mandaue TEAM head Erwin Ermac was “a reasonable and fair suggestion.”
M. Logarta Street located in front of the North Bus Terminal is now a one-way road for vehicles heading to Cebu city.
“I am happy that our proposal was approved and implemented. If only we work together, we can do something,” Mayor Cortes said.
“At least we have reduced the volume of traffic. M. Logarta is free flowing, no counter flows,” he added.
The disturbance stems from ongoing road concreting work on S. Osmeña Road by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which has a March 31 completion date.
Cebu business group leaders said the worsening traffic in Cebu has resulted in higher operations cost which, at the end of the day, affects consumers. “The government’s incompetence has burdened the taxpayers,” said Philip N. Tan, past president of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph said the traffic situation has become the “new normal.”
“The local government units need to collaborate and the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) needs to step up,” he said./With Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap and Correspondent Anie M. Paujana
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