A MEMBER of the Davao City Council urged fellow councilors to rustle up all solutions and come up with an ordinance that will ease the worsening traffic problem.
Committee on finance, ways and means, and appropriations chairman councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, during a privilege speech in the 23rd regular session on Tuesday, December 13, proposed about eight possible solutions to solve the traffic congestion in the city including prohibiting individuals from buying over two vehicles.
The councilor said a minimum of at least two vehicles is enough, adding that nobody can request for a vehicle if he has no parking lot.
"This might be the first in the city to limit the purchase of vehicles to individual persons. If you only need one or two vehicles then do not buy more than two vehicles," Dayanghirang told reporters in an interview at his office.
Another way, according to him, is strictly implement the Anti-Smoke Belching Ordinance where erring vehicles will be banned from running.
He also recommended the removal of vendors and the cancellation of permits of those who will go beyond the limit of the government property.
Dayanghirang said it would be also good for the condominiums and other buildings to have a high-rise parking area.
He added even the idea of having high-rise parking area in the city with fees is also good because of its business aspect.
The City Council, Dayanghirang said, will also enjoin purok leaders and barangay police to help ease traffic in their areas.
Dayanghirang, thus, appealed to members of the City Council to consider the matter as first priority program next year, adding the city's current traffic problem could get worse, especially with several infrastructure projects lined up next year.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Davao has reserved P38.5 billion in infrastructure programs for the region next year, which included 10 bypasses and road widening projects worth around P7.6 billion.
The City Council passed on first reading last week the proposed agreement between the City Government and the DPWH for the implementation of the projects as part of the legal requirement of the project implementation in the city.
Committee on transportation and communication chair councilor Conrado Baluran vowed to look into all the methodologies and suggestions of the committee on finance, ways and means, and appropriations on the matter. (ICT)