Monday, January 22, 2007 Mayor apologizes for delay in new traffic signalization By Ben O. Tesiorna
CITY Mayor Rodrigo Duterte apologized to Dabawenyos for the much delay on the implementation of the new traffic signalization system that costs the city millions of pesos to acquire.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte said he is giving the implementers of the new system ample time to thresh out the problem besetting the project, saying it could not be solved by his constant ranting.
"Surrender na muna ako. I apologize for the delay. Dili ni madala ug init sa ulo. It will take time. Naulaw napud ko sa akong sarili kay sige na lang ko ug pangasaba nila," Duterte admitted.
The mayor also appealed for the public's patience and cooperation, saying, "There's no such thing as perfect in this world".
Duterte said it would be best for the Dabawenyos to listen to the lectures conducted by the Traffic Management Center under Celso Gempesaw with regards to the reroutings and other matters in relation to new traffic system.
The City Government has spent P140 million for the traffic signalization system that was installed in 29 intersections within the downtown area.
The new system was first switched on last December 10 but it was put off after causing monstrous traffic due to some glitches.
The traffic agency is presently undertaking phase by phase run in every four intersections.
Gempesaw said presently they only have four intersections in operation.
He said the progress of the first four intersections would dictate how fast the other intersections would follow to be operational.
