AS A MEASURE to prevent road accidents due to overspeeding motorists, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) wants to purchase two speed guns and a decibel meter worth P202,395.
During the budget hearing for the proposed P8.1 billion 2019 annual budget of the City Wednesday, Nov. 7, CCTO chief Atty. Ismael Garaygay said that once they have the speed guns, they will conduct a pilot test at the Cebu South Coastal Road.
Last January, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he wants speed guns to monitor vehicles passing through the tunnel at the South Road Properties after eight persons were injured in a multiple vehicular collision.
Aside from the speed guns, CCTO also wants to purchase a P5-million tow truck.
The traffic office currently has two tow trucks, but only one is operational while the other is still being repaired.
"Before, we have a private service provider to help us with towing, but CCTO is the only one doing it right now. We need another tow truck because only one is available for use at the moment," Garaygay said.
The CCTO has proposed a total budget of P205.6 million for next year.
Of the amount, the biggest chuck goes to personal services worth P161.2 million, followed by a P39.2 million allocation for its maintenance and other operating expenses.
Since majority of CCTO's workforce is composed of casual employees, Garaygay said, they will open more slots for regular workers.
At present, there are only five regular workers employed by CCTO.
During the budget hearing, Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr.suggested that the City Government prioritize the promotion of some 120 job order traffic aides into casual workers.
"Let's prioritize them because they are always out in the field, they're closer to danger," Gabuya said in Cebuano.
But Councilor Margarita Osmeña, head of the committee on budget and finance, stressed that the City will need more regular workers first.
"Until we can comply with the directive from the Civil Service Commissionto fill up as many regular positions as we can, wala sa tay casuals," she said. (RTF)