WHEN planning how to fix traffic congestion, begin with the commuters in mind, an official suggested in yesterday’s Traffic Summit.

“The premise is, how would you solve this in the eyes of someone who commutes?” said Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec during the open forum.

A public transportation consultant urged leaders of all 13 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Cebu to synchronize traffic policies and cooperate in solving traffic congestion and transportation problems.

For his part, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said he saw no problem in the Cebu City Government’s choice not to participate in the Traffic Summit.

Davide said that even if the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) wasn’t there, any traffic plans that may surface can be connected to Cebu City’s traffic policies and plans.

“There is a (traffic) ordinance in Cebu City. We can compare their ordinance with the other traffic ordinances of LGUs in Metro Cebu. This is one common problem that can unite all of us,” Davide said.

In her discussion, Engr. Lynn Madrona emphasized the need to synchronize the traffic policies of all LGUs in Metro Cebu.

Madrona is a public transportation and management consultant for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

With 13 LGUs having their own traffic codes, synchronization is needed to make sure the rules are consistent. Aside from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Danao, Naga, Carcar and Talisay, the municipalities of Consolacion, Compostela, Minglanilla, Liloan, Cordova and San Fernando now have their own traffic codes.

Madrona also spoke of the results of JICA’s Master Plan Study and Institutional Development on Metro Cebu’s Urban Transport System six years ago.

Among the observations was that traffic in Metro Cebu has deteriorated, with traffic congestion continuing even during off-peak hours.

Some of the causes of Metro Cebu’s traffic situation are an increase of traffic demand due to population growth, economic development and motorization; insufficient road network and public transport services; and inadequate traffic management.

Madrona pointed out that the number of public utility vehicles has increased from 9,252 in 2013 to 12,778 this year, or a 38 percent increase.

Despite the increase, some areas in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue remained unserved by public utility vehicles.

The LTO’s Caindec, in the forum, said that aside from the PUJ Modernization Act, other potentially viable options such as using water taxis are also being considered.

In a separate interview, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he was willing to listen to the outcome of the summit organized by the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) if this is beneficial to the city.

“I have to listen to all that they will offer and if it’s good, OK lang. If it’s not, no way,” he told reporters. Osmeña said the City is still not joining the MCDCB.

“I just want to make that clear. I’m not under them. How can you be Mega Cebu without Cebu City? It’s a trap. By joining them, it makes them think I’m under them but I’m not under them,” Osmeña said.

The mayor reiterated he did not join nor send a representative to the Traffic Summit because “it’s a waste of time.”

The mayor’s refusal to join the MCDCB was again highlighted when one of its officials questioned the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which Osmeña has been pushing for. That project, although previously approved by the National Economic and Development Authority, has been proposed for cancellation by other officials, including the transportation secretary. (JKV, with RVC & Elitz Alia Caballero, CNU Intern)