A City Council committee composed of three councilors were the first local legislators in the 20-person body to move lifting the suspension of the kickoff of the local public transport route plan (LPTRP) in Cagayan de Oro.
It can be recalled that in June last year, Mayor Rolando Uy suspended the implementation of the LPTRP following confusion experienced by both drivers and commuters in their new routes.
But during a committee on public utilities meeting January 23, Councilor Roger Abaday said that six months is more than enough time for the people to already know the new public transport routes.
The LPTRP is a prerequisite for the full implementation of the PUV modernization program in a given locality.
In the meeting, Abaday introduced a resolution requesting Uy to lift his suspension of the LPTRP for the reasons “to improve public convenience, adhere to national modernization standards and address the growing demands of the city.”
It was seconded by Councilor Agapito Suan III and approved by committee chair Councilor Enrico Salcedo.
Along this line, the measure is expected to be calendared in the next plenary session this Monday (January 26).
In a related development, the committee on public utilities also endorsed a plan by the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) to purchase breathalyzers and decibel meters.
This, following an alarming week of deadly accidents involving motorcycles in drag races.
Salcedo said that drag races usually start in convenience stores selling liquor and surmised that most of these drivers are already intoxicated before taking off.
He encouraged the RTA to focus their checkpoints in three spots – Gusa coastal, Bulua diversion road and uptown CDO.
“Diha man gyud mga lugara nga permi ang drag race ug permi ang disgrasya,” Salcedo said.
Decibel meters are also recommended, targeting motorcyles with modified mufflers.
“Their drag races along the highway makadisturbo sa mga residente nga nangatulog. Naa pa bya ni silay trabaho inigka-ugma,” Salcedo said.
The proposal for the city government to purchase breathalyzers and decibel meters will also be calendared in the next plenary session. FILE PHOTO BY THE CITY COUNCIL
