Judge urges city to act on pedestrian safety

Speeding trucks are among the most dangers of pedestrians doing business in the Regional Trial Courts at the Qimonda IT building along S. Osmena St. at the pier area. (CDN FILE PHOTO)

Executive Judge Soliver Peras of the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City yesterday called on the city government to act on his overdue request to ensure the safety of court employees and the public who cross the seven-lane road in front of Qimonda IT Center in the North Reclamation Area.

“The least the city can do is to put a pedestrian lane on S. Osmeña Street. Anything that happens outside the courthouse is beyond the judiciary’s control,” he told CDN yesterday.

Court officers and employees have repeatedly expressed concern over their safety long before a man following up a court case was killed while crossing the road in front of Qimonda IT Center last December 23. Two others were injured in separate road accidents near the courthouse since October last year.

Peras wrote Mayor Michael Rama on Oct. 27, 2015 requesting him through Cebu City Traffic Office Executive Director Rey Gealon to put pedestrian lanes, warning signs, and a traffic enforcer in the area.

“This is for the benefit of employees, litigants, and other court users who by foot cross the very busy Sergio Osmeña Street. I believe an accident is waiting to happen if no precautionary measures will be taken immediately,” wrote the judge.

Until now, Peras said he hasn’t received any response from the city government.

S. Osmeña Street has give lanes.

Before reaching Qimonda IT Center, court employees and litigants have to cross another two-lane road which is under the jurisdiction of the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA).

Trailer trucks and prime movers usually traverse the two roads near the pier area.

Peras said he earlier proposed to CPA to re-route cargo trucks passing near Qimonda from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. However, his proposal was opposed by the truckers association.

The executive judge also suggested a speed limit for trucks passing by the area but he said only the CPA and the city government can impose it.

The judge said he’s hoping that the two government entities can do something to prevent similar accidents.

“Hagbay ra ang akong request, wala pa gihapoy tubag. Maghuwat na pud ta ani og laing ma-aksidente? (I’ve already sent a request but I haven’t received any response yet. Shall we wait for another accident to happen?)” Peras said.