“Absolute No Parking Policy”

STRICT IMPLEMENTATION --- Motorists are strictly warned of the “Absolute No Parking Policy” along Sinsuat and Quezon Avenues in Cotabato City to ease traffic congestion. These major highways have been cleared since August 5. (Gilmhar Lao)

COTABATO CITY --- The city government here is elated with the positive outcome in the implementation of the “Absolute No Parking Policy” along major thoroughfares in the city --- Sinsuat and Quezon Avenues --- which started last August 5.

Ret. Col. Rolen Balquin, city public safety officer, said during interview that since the city traffic management unit started to implement the policy, there has been a “dramatic change” in the traffic situation of the city.

Some 200 motorists have been penalized for violation of the new traffic order following its implementation this early. More than 5,000 vehicles ply these two avenues daily.

        “Based on our assessment, everything ran smoothly. We can clearly see the improvement in the major highways, although there were some isolated cases of traffic rules violation but most of them (violators) are not from the city. They have come from other areas and have not been properly oriented of our policy. Others are motorcycles plying from Sultan Kudarat town going to Cotabato City,” Balquin said.

        However, Balquin claimed they find it a bit challenging to control them since they (motorists) are not properly acquainted that they must be at least 10 meters away from the intersection.

“Second, other motorcycle drivers are just newbie motorcycle drivers. Their usual scapegoat is they didn’t know the rules and regulations of the city. But even if that is their excuse, we are obliged to give them corresponding violation and issue them with violation tickets,” Balquin stressed.

As a whole, Balquin added, they can see the motorists are following the rules and regulations.

“However, a common violation committed by the motorists is still counter flowing. This is the reason why we try to maximize the deployment of our people purposely to make full implementation of the policy,” he claimed.

Other than the monetary penalty, violators were also given a three-hour seminar on traffic rules and regulations where they were oriented on the new traffic code.

Balquin stressed that “violators could only claim their driver’s license only after attending the seminar and paying corresponding penalties”.

Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi previously warned motorists that the traffic laws “apply to everybody and nobody is exempted.”

“This is a solution to the traffic problem in Cotabato City. Together with the local authorities, the City Government of Cotabato will make sure that all motorists will follow this rule. Let us always remember that each of us has a role to play for the success of this rule,” Mayor Guiani-Sayadi said.

Earlier, the city government has also adopted a new traffic code to regulate and manage the growing traffic situation by creating one-way streets, one of which is the SK Pendatun Avenue from downtown heading to the Super area.

Newly opened roads 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. (Gilmhar Lao with Anne Acosta)