City bullish on solving traffic problem
Iloilo City will receive a 26,000 US dollars aid from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for its traffic management and development program. The aid will be in form of consultancy and studies from the funding agency.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the aid which will be in form of technical studies regarding Iloilo City's worsening traffic problem is very important. The technical study could greatly help the city in its objective to ease the traffic problems. A Japanese expert was in the city last week to personally see the traffic situation here.
Traffic in Iloilo City worsens everyday though there are a number of traffic aides and traffic policemen on the streets.
Treñas said traffic management is not just the enforcement of laws and ordinances. It includes planning. There is already development in the city particular with the birth of the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC).
The city needs to look at the construction of either a radial or circumferential road, having an intersection, and open new one-way streets, said Treñas.
Vehicles parked along the city's main thoroughfares particularly along the so-called Chinatown also contributes to the traffic problem.
The chief executive observed that there are existing ordinances prohibiting the use of portions of Iznart Street for parking are not being implemented.
Apart from Iloilo City, the MIGEDC which is composed of the province of Guimaras and towns adjacent to Iloilo City are also recipients of the technical study.