Lapu, Mandaue manage traffic on 1st school day

BUMPER-to-bumper traffic was noticed at the approaches of the two Mandaue-Lapu-Lapu bridges during yesterday’s opening of classes.

Frank Brazil, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management System (CTMS), yesterday said that movement of vehicles in the approaches of the two bridges were slow because of the volume of vehicles.

Brazil said aside from the expected traffic at the two bridges, traffic was also heavy in areas near schools in early morning, lunch time and after classes in the afternoon.

“Motorists, who are going to Mandaue or Cebu City from Lapu-Lapu City, are advised to avoid passing areas near schools to avoid being stuck in traffic in these areas,” said Brazil in Cebuano.

As for the bridge traffic, he advised commuters to use the ferry boat in going to Cebu City as a way to help them ease traffic in the two bridges.

He also deployed more traffic personnel in schools and also discouraged motorists from unloading passengers at the schools’ entrances.

In Mandaue City, Glenn Antigua, Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) chief, said they had managed the traffic in their part during yesterday’s opening of classes.

“Moving lang gyud atong traffic, expected gyud siya nga puno. Karon sa morning murag successful mi, amo gi-brief among personnel nga i-asses gyud namo ang one week nga unsay result sa opening sa klase,” Antigua said.

Last week, TEAM started their deployment for the preparations of the opening of classes. They also lifted the “no left turn” policy for vehicles coming from MC Briones Street going to Sudlon, Maguikay especially for vehicles that bring students to Saint Louis School of Mandaue which started their classes last week.

In another development, Dr. Mercedita Demoral, Public Schools Supervisor and Division Information Officer of the Mandaue Department of Education, said that schools were already filled with students as early as 6 a.m.

Demoral said that to address the need of classrooms, some schools hold three sessions: 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“As of now because we only have Grade 11 and with the coming of the new construction, enough ra gyud ang atong classrooms except sa katong mga shops sa senior high school nga ongoing construction pa,” Demoral said.

Demoral said that Mandaue schools have enough classrooms, and that even if there is an increase in school population, they are addressing the classroom issues of the students.

There are 27 elementary schools and 23 secondary schools in Mandaue City.