MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

Baguio City council presses evaluation of traffic scheme
By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city council Monday approved a resolution asking the Traffic and Transport Management Committee to submit an evaluation report on the results of the new traffic schemes being implemented in the city for several months now.

Proponent Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda said the TTMC should make a final recommendation on these traffic designs to determine if these are effective or not.

“With the experiments having been conducted for several months now, the TTMC can make a recommendation as to whether the schemes are beneficial or not.

Tabanda noted one of the areas affected in the traffic rerouting is Marcos Highway, specifically the along the Campo Sioco area but that there have been several complaints regarding the implementation of the project, particularly on safety concerns.

Tabanda said she received reports that accidents happened in the area allegedly caused by the schemes and the barriers placed along the roads.

“Last October 5, a pastor named Edmund Foronda met an accident when his motorcycle collided with a traffic barrier which was set up as part of the traffic scheme along the Campo Sioco Area. To date, the pastor is still recovering from the accident,” Tabanda noted.

“There is an urgent need for the TTMC to determine the steps to be undertaken specially for of the safety of motorists who traverse these roads everyday,” she said.

As approved, the evaluation report “must take into consideration the easing of the traffic situation, environmental and safety concerns and including recommendations as to what routes should be adopted for the City Council to take the necessary steps to amend existing ordinances.”


High cement rates affect Cordillera gov’t projects
BAGUIO CITY – The implementation of public infrastructure projects in the Cordillera is being affected by skyrocketing prices of cement and construction materials caused by the economic slump and aggravated by the global financial crisis.

This was the contention of construction industry stakeholders who belied earlier claims by a multinational cement manufacturer that government projects have been saved by the stable prices of cement.

According to them, the rising prices of cement and construction materials have greatly compromised the implementation of quality public infrastructure projects in the region, thereby sacrificing good workmanship.

Instead of concreting a kilometer of road, the funds allotted for such purpose is just enough for 500 meters. Thus, funds allotted for various projects are no longer sufficient to complete a good project.

Aside from the skyrocketing prices of cement, industry stakeholders also questioned the alleged diluted pure Portland cement which is being projected as far more better than the proven Portland concrete mix.

Instead of using 10 bags of pure Portland cement for one cubic meter of concrete mix, they are now using 12 bags to meet the strength of the pure Portland cement which means an added expense.

The problem is compounded by the reported 200 to 300 percent increase in the prices of construction materials such as steel bars, galvanized iron sheets and lumber, as well as the reported proliferation of sub-standard construction materials in hardwares and construction supply stores in the region.

Contractors and project implementers challenged concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to work double time in monitoring excessive priced construction materials and cement to save the implementation of quality private and public infrastructure in the region.

A 40-kilogram bag of cement is now being sold at over P200 in the region compared to its previous price of P180 several months ago.

A number of contractors admitted they do not want to accept government projects now because of the alleged very low pricing by the government of construction materials which is not based on the prevailing market price. – Dexter A. See