Back in the Citom saddle

RAFAEL L. YAP

by Doris Bongcac
Chief of Reporters

RAFFY Yap, 33, would have been one of Cebu’s legal eagles crossing swords with the brightest minds in court had he continued his law practice.
Instead, he joined Mayor Michael Rama at City Hall to become the city’s traffic czar. Yap called his four years as executive director of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) office a “humbling experience” .
In December 2014, the mayor gave him a new role as the point man for Cebu City’s long awaited project, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) funded by a P10.6 billion World Bank loan. But less than a month after, Yap found himself back in the pilot seat of Citom in addition to being the BRT project manager.
What make City Hall’s “Wonder Boy” click?
You’re a lawyer. Why did you end up with Citom and traffic management?
Looking back, I’m quite surprised myself with how events turned out. I started out as a lawyer with the City Legal Office. I had some experience working with Citom since I served as the City Attorney’s representative in the Citom board for several months. When Mayor Rama was elected in 2010, the job was offered to me and I accepted because it was an opportunity to serve in the Ignatian philosophy of magis (doing more for Christ, doing more for others).

Where you able to practice your profession?
During my time in the City Legal Office, I had the opportunity to represent City Hall in several court cases though most of my workload were focused on contract review and drafting of legal opinions. While I no longer have the luxury of time to enable me to practice law, being head of Citom gives me the perspective on the intricacies of law enforcement.

Why the shift? What made you decide to enter public service?
I was exposed to public service early on through my mother (Associate Justice Marilyn Yap of the Court of Appeals). My earliest memories as a child include being in the Hall of Justice in the Capitol while she was working as clerk of court for then judge Fortunato Vailoces (who retired as a CA justice). Growing up, I was schooled in the Jesuit traditions which have a strong leaning towards service to fellowmen. I guess it was only inevitable that I tried my hand at public service.

Do you miss the legal profession?
A little.

How did you manage the shift from being a lawyer to traffic czar?
It helped that I had some of the finest employees in City Hall working for Citom. My presence and all my successes are a result of team effort. I would be nowhere without the help of my team.

What was the biggest challenge that you faced as Citom head?
Restoring morale after losing traffic enforcers Maria Theresa Bascones and Armando Daligdig. (Bascones was killed on duty after she was accidentally run over by an SUV while Daligdig was fatally shot by an irate driver – Editor).

What is Citom’s biggest challenge now?
Finding ways to cope with the traffic generated by Cebu’s economic development. Preparing for the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress.

You were replaced by Victor Caindec as Citom chief in December. Why did you come back?
Circumstances demanded that someone must be selected as head of Citom. I count myself lucky to still enjoy the mayor’s confidence.

Where you able to speak to Caindec before he left?
Yes. We talked about some of the initiatives he wished to see to fruition.

Your return as Citom head was met by complaints on the implementation of a traffic experiment along S. Osmeña Road. How did you deal with it?
By being humble enough to admit that government is not perfect and on (many) occasions we do make mistakes.

Do you still do road experiments?
The Banilad-Talamban corridor is a work in progress and we will continue to make adjustments until the optimum balance with all road users can be achieved. Other areas of concern remain the SRP due to the number of accidents there and the Mambaling to Bulacao stretch of N. Bacalso Avenue.

Aside from heading Citom, you also head the city’s BRT project implementation unit. How do you handle both responsibilities?
I have an excellent team on board at Citom. Traffic and transport are both interrelated so I have first rate support in both responsibilities.

What is the status of the BRT project?
Gearing up for full speed. We have started data collection to mitigate the potential social impact on people who rely on jeepneys. We are also waiting for the detailed engineering design consultancy to be awarded by end of February so that infrastructure design can begin in earnest.

Do we have money to fund its implementation?
Yes, because this will be primarily funded through a loan with the World Bank, Agence Francaise de Development, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Clean Technology Fund.

With our not-so-wide roads, is Cebu ready for the BRT?
The selection of routes underwent a significant analysis and consultation, paying particular attention to origin and demand, existing and proposed land use, and road carrying capacity. The conclusion is that yes, Cebu is ready for BRT.

Is this the transport solution that Cebu City is looking for?
Yes. The BRT project was thought of after a series of consultations made at the barangay level. The consultant’s team went to the barangays to ask the different stakeholders what are their current problems and their preferred choice for a public transportation. As a result of that, we came up with the BRT.

How will the city address the concerns of drivers and other sectors that may be affected by project implementation?
The only way to address their concerns is thru a bottom to top approach and by genuinely consulting them every step of the process to achieve a win-win solution.

After the BRT implementation, what’s next for Cebu City?
The sky is the limit!
How do you deal with the mayor’s demands?
Mayor Rama and I both have in common the desire to make Cebu City a better place for everyone. With that as a mutual starting point, there is nothing that we cannot discuss, agree on and implement for the common good.

Any regrets about joining government service?
Yes. Lack of a social life and gaining lots of weight as a consequence of the job in particular.

How do you cope with pressure?
Traveling when I can, eating when I can’t.

Who do you turn to for advice?
Mostly to my Citom team. Some of them have been in Citom even before I was born. They are a rich source of insights on traffic, government and life in general. My family also gives great advice. They can tell me what my employees can’t.

You have remained a bachelor, any plans of getting married?
Yes, definitely. (laughs)

What’s your ideal partner like?
Intelligent, opinionated, kind, funny and family-oriented.

Where will Atty. Yap be in the next five years?
Pursuing further studies.