Delivery of goods to different business establishments in Minglanilla, Cebu will be prohibited during the day to prevent traffic.

Jonathan “Joy” Tumulak, the provincial focal person on traffic management and the Cebu South Bus Terminal manager, said that it was decided in a meeting Tuesday, Dec. 11, that deliveries will only be allowed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Tumulak said perishable goods are exempted, though, but only if these are delivered using a four-wheel truck.

The meeting to find a solution to the southern town’s traffic problem was called by Mayor Elanito Peña, who did not attend, but he sent representatives.

Peña will issue an executive order this week on when the ban will take effect.

As for members of the local business community, they’re appealing to town officials to find other ways to decongest traffic.

Minglanilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Myra Lapitan said implementing the ban on delivery during the day will paralyze operations of businesses, especially those involved in quarrying and construction.

Lapitan admitted she has yet to discuss the matter with other chamber officials, saying they will convene and speak with the mayor.

“Minglanilla is the gateway to the south. If they will limit the delivery to night time only, it will affect the business activities not only in our area but other adjoining areas,” said Lapitan in an interview on Tuesday, Dec. 11, referring to Minglanilla as a crucial access point.

Minglanilla is home to many residential projects, which are in various stages of development. There are also small-scale businesses that are involved in hollow-blocks production. Goods from other island provinces going to Cebu pass through Minglanilla.

Additional enforcers

While she admitted there needs to be intervention to decongest the traffic situation in their area, Lapitan thinks there are other options to consider.

“For me, it is not the solution,” she said.

Lapitan cited the opening of more alternate routes or implementing a truck ban on certain hours of the day.

As for the recently opened Snow World in Barangay Upper Calajoan, Chief Insp. Verniño Noserale, the town’s police chief; Jaime Caumeran, the town’s peace and order consultant; and Francis Sanguenza, the town’s traffic chief, recommended using the town’s track oval as a parking area.

They said Snow World can provide shuttle buses to transport visitors.

Meanwhile, Tumulak said Minglanilla plans to hire 10 more personnel to augment its existing traffic enforcers. Last year, heavy traffic lasted past midnight during the Christmas holidays along the town’s highway, he said.

“All forms of obstruction along the national highway in Minglanilla will be cause for apprehension. All owners of business firms must strictly follow the law. There will be no more indiscriminate parking along the highway,” said Sanguenza.

Tumulak said that it was agreed that Peña would issue an executive order (EO) for the delivery ban because of the lack of time to file, discuss and approve a municipal ordinance, which would have to reviewed and approved by the Provincial Board.

“We will know the definite dates under the EO once it is issued by Mayor Peña,” Tumulak said.

Land Transportation Office 7 Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec said his office will also augment traffic personnel in Minglanilla during the holidays.

On the other hand, a P2.5-billion bypass road traversing the old railway of Talisay City, Minglanilla and the City of Naga, which will be called “Tamina,” will help decongest traffic on that highway corridor.

The project’s feasibility study, though, has yet to be completed, said Nonato Paylado, chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways 7 Construction Division.