Res Gestae
Back to 'normal'
What do you have in mind when I say that "the traffic situation in the City of Iloilo is back to normal"? Think of our streets before the implementation of Police Chief Superintendent Geary Barias' Project Kalinungan kag katawhayan sa Dalan (KKD) last September 4, 2006. What do you recall? Is it not the bumper-to-bumper traffic at Plazoleta Gay and all other intersections along J.M Basa and Iznart Streets?
Project KKD indubitably has made a difference in the busy streets of Iloilo City since its implementation. Though the primary objective was to reduce street crimes along this highly-congested thoroughfare, the detailed police officers have also effectively managed the traffic and established order among our motorists. Of course, most drivers, especially those of PUJs, were not pleased of the impartiality of police officers from the PRO 6 Regional Headquarters. But, certainly commuters like me, who wishes to be home fast to relax after the mind-boggling lectures in school, were grateful for and commended our men in uniform who showcased an effective and efficient traffic control and management.
Now, without telling you what do I really mean, you must probably have the picture of the "normal" situation of our major thoroughfares. After two months, the worst of my expectations regarding the project starts to manifest. Maybe it's too premature to say that Project KKD is one of the ningas-cogon programs not only of the PNP but of the government. But, if you have chanced to pass the stretch of J.M. Basa -- Iznart Streets between 7:00 to 9:30 in the evening, you would realize that, while we still see police officers augmenting our auxiliary traffic police, the traffic is far from being orderly as it was few weeks ago. An irony to this is that Police Senior Superintendent Wesley Barayuga, who was then the Chief of Regional Operations and Plans Division and was in-charge in the monitoring of the implementation, is now the Iloilo City Police Office Director.
I do understand, however, that there are factors to be considered before I signal my thumbs down against General Barias' Project KKD or against PSSupt Barayuga as the new City Director. Well, I have noted that instead of the seven intersections along J.M. Basa -- Iznart Streets as the areas of operations of the project, PSSupt Barayuga included the Delgado St. (Front of SM) and Luna St., Lapaz (front of Gaisano City) upon his assumption as ICPO Director. Without increasing the number of personnel detailed in the project, the addition of two other areas would mean depleting four of the original seven areas in order to accommodate the number of personnel required to operate in the two new areas. And, what could we expect from a single police officer left in manning the intersection during peak hours?
Another consideration is the setting up of random checkpoint at the entry points to the City Proper. If, Project KKD, in the first place, is intended to reduce street crimes and deter other forms of criminality in its areas of operations, and traffic control and management is but its secondary purpose, then the re-occurrence of traffic mess along J.M Basa -- Iznart Streets between 7:00 to 9:30 is an irrelevant pre-condition in evaluating the project. If it is so, then I commend the innovation which PSSupt Barayuga injected in support of the Project KKD. The random checkpoint has surely provided a blocking force that would intercept any threat to peace and order from penetrating at the heart of city.
However, I would (I mean, many of us would) be more appreciative if the new City Director would dexterously effect reduction on street crimes but at the same time "clear" our streets at least between 7:00 to 9:30 within which I am on my way home (of course, many of you also do) to relax.
(Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com)