AN OFFICER of the Baguio City Police Office–Traffic Management Branch (BCPO-TMB) expressed concern over the unprecedented increase in the number of registered motor vehicles in the city.
Chief Inspector Oliver Panabang, BCPO-TMB head, said based on data obtained from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Baguio City, the number of registered motor vehicles increased to over 57,600 last year as to the over 44,500 registered vehicles in 2017.
The figures, he said, contributed to the drastic increase in the volume of vehicles plying the city’s roads which further contribute to the traffic congestions and insufficient parking spaces in the different parts of the city.
Based on studies, existing city roads and streets could only accommodate 10,000 to a maximum of 15,000 motor vehicles to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular traffic aside from making available spaces to accommodate vehicles that will park, he said.
Panabang noted available parking spaces in the different parts of the city is roughly over 2,777 which is way below the number of registered vehicles.
“We continue to explore all possible means of easing the traffic congestions around the city but we are always overwhelmed by the huge volume of vehicles that flock to the city, especially during weekends and holidays that is why we really need the cooperation of the public,” Panabang said.
The BCPO-TMB official asserted the number of vehicles in the city is exclusive of the over 35,000 motor vehicles registered with the LTO La Trinidad as of 2017.
Panabang said it is still best for the public to avail of the public transportation so that the presence of private vehicles along roads and streets will actually be minimized thereby contributing in efforts to lessen traffic jams around the city.
The police officer disclosed another cause of worsening traffic congestions in the city’s central business district area is the lack of discipline among motorists.
Panabang said traffic enforcers will continue to implement the anti-obstruction and anti-illegal parking policies in the city to instil discipline among motorists.
Meanwhile, Panabang expressed his support to the plan of increasing the fines and penalties against individuals who unscrupulously park their motor vehicles even in areas not officially designated as parking areas in the different parts of the city. (PR)