|
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Businessmen hit traffic condition
By Edmund Sestoso
A NUMBER of businessmen in Negros Oriental scored the city's handling of its traffic management describing it as one of the hindrances of economic growth and discouraging investments.
The businessmen, who refused to be named, aired their disgust in an informal gathering at a restaurant outside Dumaguete City when they discussed investment problems and concerns.
Most of the businessmen were from Dumaguete City. Foreign expatriates were also present during the gathering.
The businessmen singled out the city's traffic condition as one of the factors discouraging investments.
In a random interview, they requested to speak on anonymity for fear their businesses in the city would be affected.
The businessmen said the city has many traffic signs, some in Cebuano, but were ignored by drivers and pedestrians.
Worse, they said, although the city has many traffic enforcers the latter were indifferent to traffic problems.
A foreigner, who joined the informal gathering, said many motorcycle drivers go against traffic flow but are ignored by traffic enforcers.
A local businessman said drivers were not afraid to violate traffic rules including parking in no-parking areas in any side of the road and in any direction.
Another who holds civic positions in the city explained that traffic enforcers lamented that anybody without proper training on traffic regulations could be hired because of political backing.
"Any Tom, Dick and Harry can be part of it, some are young and others are over age and not educationally eligible," another businessman pointed out.
They observed that it is only in Dumageute City where minors are allowed to drive motorcycles and even with back riders.
"Its only one of a kind in the Philippines where Dumaguete as a city with over 3,000 units of motorcabs where some are already 30 years in operation, but still allowed and even given city permits, thus the units are not safe to operate," one trader said.
(January 8, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
