The first week of implementation of the new re-routing traffic scheme in Dumaguete City has earned relatively positive feedback, although there are still certain conflict points that need to be addressed in the coming days, said Councilor Alan Gel Cordova.
Cordova, who heads the Committee on Traffic & Transportation, disclosed Friday that since the dry run of the new traffic scheme was implemented Saturday, Feb. 18, the City has received positive feedback from different sectors.
According to him, some have said the traffic flow has eased up, especially in the City’s central business district.
In the big picture, the City is optimistic, given enough time, that the traffic problem in Dumaguete will be solved, Cordova said.
He stressed the public still has to familiarize themselves with the new one-way streets, and that he understands their dilemma having to go around before reaching their intended destination.
Cordova appealed for patience as the City government continues to find solutions to declog the streets of traffic congestion.
Some streets like San Juan, San Jose, and Locsin were observed to have less traffic this week after they were sealed off to one-way traffic, Cordova said.
However, there are other areas in the City that need to be also addressed soon, such as Cervantes, which is open to two-way traffic, he added.
Also, some outskirts routes, such as Crossing Taclobo, and the junction of Rovira Road and the north highway near St. Paul, continue to experience traffic jams, the Councilor said.
The traffic condition along Colon St. also needs to be revisited to determine whether a two-way traffic is still applicable, considering it is a major road for market-goers.
Cordova said they want to maintain the traffic loop moving clockwise from Perdices St. to Colon, going northward along Real St., and then eastward to Silliman Ave.
To ensure that the proposed traffic re-routing scheme will be successfully tested, the City government has reinforced the Traffic Management Office personnel with 20 people from the police auxiliary group, and 10 from the Task Force.
The TMO currently has 50 personnel being rotated on assignments, especially at junctions that have been converted to one-way traffic.
Cordova admits there is still more work to be done because the ongoing repair of the Banica Bridge 1 (popularly known as the Old Bridge) has also contributed to traffic for those headed southbound of the Province. (PNA/JFP)
