City SP upgrades traffic code

COTABATO CITY --- The city government of Cotabato is slated to adopt a new traffic code approved recently by the SangguniangPanlungsod (SP) to regulate and manage the growing traffic situation here.

Vice-Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama, in an interview, said they are going to implement the new traffic code in two week’s time.

Dumama said they have created one-way streets, one of which is the SK Pendatun Avenue from downtown heading to the Super area.

“It is the only way to further cushion traffic congestion,” said Dumama.

The vice mayor also suggested the putting up of at least two integrated terminals, one for the north and one for the south bound passengers.

Newly opened roads, he added, have also helped  ease traffic like the one in front of the City Hall (People’s Palace) going to Notre Dame Village and the diversion road located in Malagapas.

“These definitely helped our motorists,” he said.

Councilor Eduardo Rabago, Jr., who chairs the SP committee on transportation, said they are planning to have an advocacy campaign to fully inform the public about the new traffic code.“Rest assured we will inform the public so they could adopt with our new traffic code.”

Further, Dumama said with the 2016Revised Traffic Code, the city government will be strictly implementing stiffer penalties on violators. “Wecame up with this right after we updated the laws so we can be more responsive to the present needs of the city.”

“The 2016 Revised Traffic Code is fully upgraded,” he said.

“Upgrading the traffic code depends on the changing times. This time, we placed higher penalties to violators so there will be discipline from their end. After all, it’s for everybody’s safety,” he said.

In some areas, the city government will be implementing the  “no parking” policy.

Dumama said they are currently widening the road along Governor Gutierrez Avenue.“After we’re through with the road widening in the area, our populace would feel the difference.”

Dumama emphasized that the SP shall not entertain anymore application for franchise of terminals, except when it is favourably endorsed by the city mayor or the executive department.

“In the previous practice, application is done here.But let me tell you, it is purely on the executive level in nature,” he said.

Dumama said it is only appropriate for the franchise applicants to direct their application to the executive department so they will be properly guided with the requirements needed. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)