A TRANSPORT summit earlier offered by the Provincial Government of Iloilo is not yet feasible at this time since the City Government has yet to install all the projects designed to ease out traffic congestion in the city.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor recently met at the wake of the late Mayor Victor Saclauso of San Miguel, Iloilo and discussed the possible transport summit.
Mabilog said he explained to the governor that the city is doing everything, including public hearings and consultations with different transport stakeholders and the results will be out soon.
Similarly, the City will soon install the first four traffic lights with complete closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) at the four busy street junctions.
The streetlights will cost about P3.5 million each coming from the city allocation intended for a public fountain at Plaza Libertad.
The plaza in front of the City Hall is currently undergoing rehabilitation and renovation with more than P4 million funding from the Department of Tourism-Tourism Infrastructure Enhancement Zone Authority.
Mabilog said the city transportation team is also waiting for the advice from traffic experts, and all these projects will be taken up one by one, waiting to be completed before a summit is materialized.
Furthermore, the Department of Public Works and Highways will soon start the construction of a new road from San Miguel to Sta. Barbara and eventually to the new airport in Cabatuan with the amount of P150 million as pushed by Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Mabilog said that another new alternate road will be realized for vehicles from the south of Iloilo in going to the airport and central Panay without passing Iloilo City and in a way, will help decongest the city of traffic woes. (LCP)