Expect traffic to worsen in Cebu City starting June 8

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Traffic in the city already got bad when public schools opened on June 1, and it is expected to worsen when private schools start their classes too on Monday, June 8.

The City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) said more private vehicles, transporting students in private schools, are expected to clog major roads in Cebu City. In particular, there will be congestion in the corridor of Mango Avenue, Downtown Colon Street, and Banilad-Talamban in northern Cebu City.

Joy Tumulak, Citom operations chief, said Talamban-Banilad is the road that leads to the different big, private schools, which include the University of Cebu-Banilad, Cebu International School, University of San Carlos (USC) Talamban. Traffic in the area has been a perennial problem. The schools located there include  

The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu is also affecting traffic in the Banilad-Talamban area even if it is located in Mandaue-Cebu boundary. Talamban is its nearest access road.

On Mango Avenue, the area near USC North Campus and the St Theresa’s College, traffic is also expected to be heavy. Congestion is expected in downtown Cebu City, where the University of the Visayas and University of Cebu main campus.

On Monday, June 1, Tumulak said traffic congestion was observed only in the area of at least two public schools – City Central School and Lahug Elementary School, two of the biggest schools in Cebu City in terms of enrolment.

Traffic congestion was, however, caused more by vendors and parents who were waiting for their children. Tumulak suggested that the City Central School and Lahug Elementary School provide waiting areas for parents.

The area should also be cleared of vendors. Tumulak said the sidewalks have all been occupied by the parents and vendors, prompting other pedestrians to use a lane on the street. 

On June 8, Tumulak suggested that private schools use a portion of their property where students can be dropped off and picked up by vehicles, not on the streets fronting the schools. She also suggested that students arrange for car pools.

At least 50 traffic enforcers will be deployed at the different schools and 10 mobile enforcers will be on standby for deployment in trouble areas.

City Hall is also asking the help of the different barangay tanods in enforcing a better traffic flow. – Rappler.com