LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Paz Radaza called for a summit that will tackle the city's traffic woes.
In her speech during the City's 53rd Charter Day celebration last Tuesday, Radaza directed the City Traffic Management System to convene stakeholders and "find short and long-term solutions to the traffic problem."
"Our traffic is worsening...We have to address the traffic problem before it hurts our economy," she said.
Radaza said representatives from the City, business sector, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the academe and other stakeholders should gather to discuss the problem.
Traffic congestion has been observed in Barangays Ibo, Buaya and Basak because of road repair projects.
But Radaza said the City Hall should not "use the ongoing road construction all over the city as an excuse for the worsening traffic jam that we are all experiencing."
She said the City has to address the problem on road congestion with the launching of its tourism brand.
The City is set to launch its brand as "The Historic Resort City" and the slogan "Free Yourself" next month.
"Traffic jam will dampen the interests of our investors. It will affect our tourism.
As we focus on branding our city, we have to do something about our traffic problem," she said.
Known for its white sand beaches, world-class hotels and resorts, and diving spots, Lapu-Lapu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
According to the Department of Tourism 7, 700,000 foreign tourists and 250,000 domestic tourists visited the city last year.