A December 2016 photo shows officials of “Oplan Hapsay Dalan” announcing the launch of their campaign that same month. From right are Land Transportation Office regional director Oscar Salcedo, the then city hall traffic consultant Jose Edgardo Uy, Roads and Traffic Administration chief Nonito Oclarit and Supt. Warlito Serna of the police’s traffic division. Over a year later, Salcedo admits that the campaign went pfft. (gold star dailt file photo / nitz arancon)
- Advertisement -

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent .

THE “Oplan Hapsay Highway” campaign suffered a major setback due to lack of funds, leaving its members disorganized and operating separately, Land Transportation Office regional director Oscar Salcedo revealed on Tuesday.

- Advertisement -

The campaign was launched in December 2016 to rid the highways and major roads from Bugo to Iponan of road obstructions. The targets were illegal structures, illegally parked vehicles and other roads obstructions and traffic hazards.

The task force includes the Roads and Traffic Administration, LTO, the National Police’s Highway Patrol Group, the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office’s Traffic Division and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The joint campaign virtually ground to a halt due to lack of financial resources and the composite team became disorganized, according to Salcedo.

“Mao kini karon nga nag-iya iya na lang kami sa among operation paghawan sa atong national highway,” he said.

What LTO does, he said, is coordinate with the RTA whenever its teams conduct “Hapsay Highway” operations.

“Makig-coordinate gihapon ta sa RTA labi na kon dunay giyoron nga truck diha sa highway,” he said.

But Salcedo said the LTO is ill-equipped compared to the RTA.  “Kami sa LTO, wala may among wrecker, walay among crane apan ang RTA kay na-a may ila, so  coordinate gihapon kami sa ila,” Salcedo said.

Meanwhile, Salcedo said it is illegal for any knid of vehicle to be parked at the shoulders of highways unless if there is a sign that states that the area may be used for parking.

“Dili gyud na puwedi parkingan ang daplin sa highway bisan pag light  vehicles,” he said.

Salcedo’s pronouncements came as a reaction to the tragic road accident that resulted in the death of DPWH engineer Ifour Manduro in Gusa on Friday. Manduro’s pickup truck crashed into the rear of a stalled crane truck that was left for days in the middle of the highway.

Salcedo said the crane truck’s owner, Makati Development Corp., have a lot to answer for, pointing out Manduro’s death was a result of a traffic obstruction which the firm caused.

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -