IF only to reduce Cagayan de Oro City’s traffic congestion, a ‘re-implementation’ or intensified enforcement of the city’s pay parking and anti-jaywalking ordinances is needed, an administration councilor said.
“Our roads remain narrow yet we have more vehicles that are bigger and if we go around the city in the afternoon, the traffic is quite heavy. And even if we have overpasses and pedestrian lanes, there are people (who lack discipline and cross the streets as they please)…but visitors cannot do that in Manila without being penalized,” Abaday said in Visayan.
Compounding the problem, he said, is the ill-disciplined public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who load and unload passengers in non-designated areas.
As far as parking is concerned, Abaday said both motorists and PUV drivers who park their vehicles anywhere for long periods contribute to the city’s traffic congestion.
“Commercial establishments have complained that they are losing customers because some motorists park their vehicles almost anywhere near their area (congesting their space),” Abaday said.
An electronic road pricing system similar to what is implemented in Metro Manila has been incorporated into the proposed transport master plan for Cagayan de Oro City.
Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) chief Engr. Nonito Oclarit said the electronic road pricing system will enable the city to charge toll fees on specific road networks to regulate traffic flow, especially during peak hours.
For now, Abaday said the RTA should identify areas in the city suitable for pay parking and impose heavier fines on violators of the two ordinances.
“The fines stated in our two ordinances are small since they were enacted so many years ago….so I propose that the codified ordinance on pay parking and jaywalking and I want the RTA to (update the penalties) so that the revenue will go to fund the enforcement of these ordinances,” Abaday said in Visayan.
The proposal is referred to the council’s public utilities committee. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)
