EDITORIAL

Public hearing needed on Baguio traffic mess

The mounting complaints by Baguio motorists on the convoluted problem that is the city traffic mess should be addressed judiciously by the city government as soon as possible. As of this time, most city residents don’t know the latest rules on what to follow as regards traffic, parking among other related concerns. The latest rule, as far as motorists know, is Ordinance 106 Series of 2008 “prohibiting parking of vehicles along Lower Session Road, Abanao and Upper Mabini Streets from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. It was approved by the city council Nov. 8, 2008. Mayor Reinaldo A. Bautista also penned his signature on the measure Dec. 8, 2008.

The ordinance said “congestion of traffic on the aforementioned roads and times can be minimized if no vehicles are allowed to park on the said roads at specified times. The ordinance stipulated any person found violating this rule would be fined P500. Ordinance 106 stipulated “All ordinances or portions of ordinances inconsistent with the provision of this ordinance (106) are hereby repealed or modified. This ordinance shall take effect after the required publications in accordance with provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.”

City traffic policemen have different versions on implementation of the law. Some say parking is prohibited 24 hours a day along Mabini while others say it is not. Along Session, at least they are in conformity that parking is allowed only along earlier cited time frames.

On the number coding, the city police director says it is still in effect but councilors say private vehicles have been exempted. So which is which? There are a lot of conflicts among motorists with police because authorities seemingly don’t know which rules to implement and which shouldn’t. Even members of the city traffic transport management department admitted they don’t know what law on traffic should be implemented.

So we say this once more with feelings: The city government should hold a public hearing on the traffic situation in Baguio wherein concerned sectors could share their views so a more systematic and scientific traffic scheme and rules could be formulated for the public.

After this, the new traffic regulations should be published or aired in the media aside from posting billboards to this effect in strategic locations in the city. By then,, the traffic mess may lessen or could be eradicated.