Tuesday, June 10, 2008 Motorists warned: Brace for traffic
THE public is advised to prepare for worse traffic at the Banilad-Talam-ban area with the opening of classes today.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said traffic would be more horrendous than the start of the construction of the Banilad flyover started last Feb. 1.
But the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) is augmenting the number of traffic enforcers assigned in the area, with 20 more specifically assigned at school exits.
Another set of enforcers are also on standby for any eventualities.
In time for today’s school opening, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will also implement a mass deployment of police personnel near school premises and crime-prone areas.
CCPO Director Pat-rocinio Comendador has not allowed any of his men to take vacation leaves or a day off today.
The Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau, under the command of Senior Insp. George Ylanan, have been tasked to monitor possible clashes of gang and fraternity members.
CCPO Deputy Director for Operations Pablo Labra II told reporters yesterday that the primary focus in today’s Balik Eskwela campaign is the protection of the students from falling victims to petty thieves.
For police assistance, one may call police hotline 166 or 255-4357, 233-6703 for Theft and Robbery Section and the operations’ section telephone number 233-6795.
No left turn
As for the Ban-Tal area, Jakosalem said construction already reached beyond the Gov. Manuel Cuenco Ave.-A.S. Fortuna St. intersection, by the Bonifacio St. junction.
Bonifacio St. is currently used as egress back to Gov. Cuenco Ave. for north-bound traffic because the single lane available by the A.S. Fortuna St. intersection is used by south-bound traffic, which was not the case last February.
In an earlier interview, Citom Executive Officer Arnel Tancinco said they will again strictly implement the “no left turn from school premises” policy to minimize traffic flow disruptions. Jakosalem advised parents bringing children to school in the Banilad-Talamban area are advised to do so earlier than usual because of the expected heavier traffic.
They could also take alternative routes, like passing through Mandaue City instead of Gov. Cuenco, he said.
He said today will be a “wait and see” situation for traffic managers to determine what additional measures should be taken.
Private cars
Motorists and commuters can likewise use the day to measure by how many minutes or hours they must leave home early to reach their destinations on schedule, or with time to spare.
On Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s suggestion to ban private vehicles, Jakosalem said it will be resorted to only when all other options are exhausted.
In Talisay City, police will be on heightened alert as an estimated 30,000 students are expected to report to school
in Talisay City’s 22 barangays on the first day of classes today.
Officials have expected a 10 percent increase in the student population this year, which stands at over 22,000 for the elementary and close to 9,000 for high school.
Presently, the Talisay City Schools Division (TCSD) has two school districts with 12 elementary schools each. Including night schools, its secondary schools totaled 17.
City Administrator Richel Bacaltos even expected the number of students to increase by 11 percent, as he anticipated more new enrollees and transferees from private schools this year.
Increase
If the projected 10 or 11 percent student population increase happens, the schools will have to accommodate more than 60 pupils per classroom, said Judith Bartolaba, TCSD planning officer.
The scenario also calls for additional teachers to augment the current 750 public school teachers in Talisay City. More than 500 of them are teaching in elementary, the rest are in day and night high schools.
Bacaltos said the City already hired 130 teacher-aid-volunteers or TAV, whose monthly salaries are taken from the City Hall’s special education fund. (RHM/JST/GC)
