Sunday, September 07, 2008 No conflict between BRT, metro traffic body: del Mar
THERE is no conflict between the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants and the proposed Metro Cebu Traffic Authority, both Rep. Raul del Mar and City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem said.
Del Mar (Cebu City, north) drafted the bill that seeks to create the Metro Cebu Traffic Authority, which three other Cebu legislators co-sponsored.
Osmeña, however, opposes the proposal, saying it will violate local autonomy and will restrict the traffic management policies of local governments.
The mayor believes the City Government is capable and equipped to handle its own traffic problems, and has efficiently addressed traffic concerns in the city.
He also warned against the passage of the bill, which he said is flawed and would create a major breakdown in the traffic management of local government units (LGUs).
But del Mar, in a interview, said the bill includes a provision for a mass transport system.
Section 3(c) of the proposal states that “the primary responsibility of the authority shall cover transport and traffic services that have metro-wide impact and transcend local political boundaries.”
“These services shall include…(the) provision for the mass transport system and the institution of a system to regulate road users.”
Del Mar said the mayors, composing the MCTA council, shall be the ones to decide on the powers and roles of the body, without giving up their own authority over their traffic organizations.
He promised that all concerns raised will be harmonized in the final draft, saying the bill was submitted to start the discussion.
“There is no quarrel here because it is up to them to decide on what. They will be able to retain whatever functions they want retained (by their respective LGUs),” the congressman said.
He also said that before the bill is approved, it will be subjected to intensive consultation with the different LGUs concerned.
Osmeña earlier said that instead of an MCTA, he would prefer a body overseeing the implementation of the BRT, which is being eyed for the Talamban-Banilad-Colon St. route.
On the other hand, Jakosalem, City Council committee on transportation chairman, said he will ask colleagues to support the MCTA by approving a resolution, but with a suggestion that the bill be amended to address apprehensions, particularly those Osmeña raised.
He believes the creation of a traffic authority will greatly improve the traffic and transportation problems of each LGU in Metro Cebu.
“We, as separate cities and municipalities, have reached certain levels of individual traffic congestion, which now obviously affect each other adversely and to the point that only a collective and coordinated effort may ease the problem,” he said in an e-mailed message to Sun.Star.
He believes that the question of political will is addressed in the bill because it is no longer the LGU but the authority that will clear streets and widen roads, among other issues.
The councilor, though, prefers the body to be called the Metro Cebu Transportation and Traffic Authority “since management of public transportation should be a major component for (it) to deal with.” (RHM)
