Transport group presents proposals to ease traffic problem
Iloilo City -- If President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has her 10-point agenda for the betterment of the country, the Iloilo City Alliance of Drivers Association (Icada) also has its own 10-point agenda to ease the city's traffic problem.
The ultimate purpose of the group however is for the city to allocate funds for the purchase of traffic signs and devices.
The Icada-Rey Cachuela wing yesterday (Tuesday) presented their 10-point agenda to Mayor Jerry Treñas. The 10-point proposal was based on the group's board resolution.
The group's 10-point agenda is a combination of their complaint and proposal relative to the city's traffic problem. It was signed by 14 drivers associations under the Icada-Rey Cachuela wing.
Treñas upon receipt of the group's recommendations referred it to the Committee on Appropriations of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Cachuela, in an interview, admitted the 10-point agenda boils down to money matters. He said the government failed to allocate portions of their budget for the procurement and installation of traffic signs in the different parts of the city. He did not cite any specific amount.
In the same interview, Cachuela could not categorically say who they are referring to as "transport committee." He could not elaborate who are the members of the transport committee, whether they are referring to the members of the committee on transportation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the Task Force Traffic of which he is also part. The committee on transportation is chaired by Councilor Jose Espinosa III.
He denied somebody is behind the so-called Icada's 10-point agenda. The proposal was signed by Cachuela and 14 other presidents of their member associations.
The other signatories are Nick Dalisay, Lapaz; Joriz Lorde, Lapuz; Benjie Clavel, Bo. Obrero; Alex Martines, Jaro Liko; Francis Pueda, Ungka; Romeo Tolentino, SOJODA; Jun Lacanaria, Leganes; Henry Pateres, Jaro-Mandurriao; Raymund Juntado, Balabago; Edwin Famorcan, VILLDRAS; Joel Daquel, MATIDA; Romulo Antoniano, MOCHIDA; Jonathan Amihan, UNGKA DIV and Joveto Salvilla of San Miguel.
In their written proposal, the group said the traffic situation in the city needs a "comprehensive study and solution" and that the Regulation Ordinance No. 268-2004 regulating the entry of provincial public utility vehicles is not fully implemented.
The group said there is rampant trans-loading of provincial PUJ's passengers from different terminals to Iloilo City. At the same time, they are asking for a review of Ordinance 268 relative to the issuance of car passes.
The group also said the number of motor vehicles is "increasing continuously while the roads can not cope with the said increases." They added that the local government, traffic enforcers, public utility drivers, commuters and pedestrians are blaming each other for the inconvenience the ordinance regulating private and public utility vehicles (parking, loading and unloading in both private and public utility vehicles.)
Icada also lamented that the "transport committee" is not provided with budget. It was not clear however who they are referring to as the "transport committee."
The sixth proposal of the group is the unreasonable fines and penalties regarding traffic. The fines and penalties resulted to the inconsistencies in the implementation of traffic rules and regulations, the group said.
The Icada also said the local government must be serious in regulating the operation of trisikad (pedicab) in the city. They also recommended that the Land transportation Office (LTO) must only operate outside Iloilo City. LTO is a national agency and there is no law which bans them from operating.
Though the driver's organization contested LTO's operation in the city, they also acknowledged its role, "considering that they are the agency authorized to apprehend traffic violators."
The group also lamented that they are not being consulted every time changes in the loading, unloading and rerouting are implemented.
The Icada also wants the city government to first complete the traffic sign and other advisory prior to the imposition of Ordinance 78 or the ordinance on the loading and unloading of public utility vehicles.