by Blessy Bench Salvaña, HCDC Intern
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Councilor Pilar C. Braga, in her privilege speech on Tuesday, proposed to amend the Ordinance No. 0334-12 known as the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City.
She said that every time the city has local or foreign guests, their immediate observation is directed on the terrible traffic situation.
“The present state of traffic management system in our city is orderly chaotic in spite of the enforcement of the city’s traffic code.” Braga added.
As of July 2017, the jeepneys or PUJ’s share of the city’s total urban transport modal split is 5.06%, while private motor vehicles (PMVs) have 39.4%, not to mention the private cars coming from other neighboring cities and provinces.
Generally, she said, it is not the public conveyances of rickety PUJ’s that create immobility and traffic congestion of city roads and thoroughfares. PUJ drivers fear losing a day’s income for their family’s basic necessities since a single traffic violation will cost them a day’s earning.
“The relentless motorization of the city is exacerbated by new residential subdivisions located in the city fringes where urban public transport system (PUJ’s) is inadequate or lacking. Hence, the preference to buy PMV’s is not any more a choice but a necessity.” she emphasized.
The councilor stressed that during daytime, all kinds of land-based motor vehicles use the city streets for on-street parking, including improper parking, two-sided road parking, traffic counter flow, parked cars sequestering pedestrian sidewalks (both arcaded and open sidewalks) and unrelenting left and right turns without due regard to traffic circles.
Almost all kinds of traffic rules recorded and enforced in the Davao City Traffic code are being violated, and the area virtually becomes a free-for-all parking lot, she added.
Taking over a malfunctioned traffic light and apprehending traffic violators are few things that local traffic enforcers often face. Motorists then are more emboldened to commit more violations completely free of worries since these enforcers are not empowered to confiscate their driver’s license.
“The proposal to deputize local government traffic enforcers by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in confiscating driver’s licenses is indispensable.” she said.
The frequent violations of motorists in the streets make the traffic even more congested than it already is.
Braga asserted that a local government is a political subdivision of a nation or state that is constituted by law and has substantial control over local affairs.
This proposed. Amendment will be included in the council session for first reading and such be referred to the proper Committee. (davaotoday.com)
