CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama issued the appointment order of lawyer Rey Gealon to serve as executive director of the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) effective yesterday.
Gealon received a copy of his appointment last Tuesday.
He replaced lawyer Rafael Christopher Yap, who was appointed as project manager of the Cebu City Bus Rapid Transit project.
“I am challenged at the same time happy to be given the opportunity to handle the city’s traffic,” said Gealon.
Gealon’s appointment was timely as the City is hosting major events, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit starting next month.
On his first day as Citom executive director, Gealon, along with some traffic personnel, conducted a walk-through from the Cebu Provincial Capitol area to the downtown Colon to apprehend traffic violators.
Gealon and his team particularly checked and asked owners of motorcycles that were illegally parked on the sidewalk of Osmeña Blvd. to remove their vehicles to allow access to pedestrians.
Some motorcycles were clamped for violating the no-parking policy.
“To start the task, I need to go out to feel what it is like to be there,” he said.
Gealon also plans to strengthen traffic education among commuters and drivers.
Gealon is a former radio broadcaster and a town councilor of Argao before his appointment as Citom chief.
Last week, he gave up his post as Argao councilor.
He also transferred his voter’s registration to the city last Monday.