Former Davao City representative and Civil Service Commission Chair Karlo Nograles on Sunday stressed the need for effective traffic mitigation measures to “ease the congestion of vehicles and foot traffic that’s expected during the coming Christmas and New Year holidays,” noting that “we need everyone’s cooperation so we could all enjoy quality time with our families and loved ones during the Yuletide season.”
“Unti-untiin natin ang paggawa ng solusyon. Dapat maumpisahan” was how he explained the process of crafting fixes to road congestion, which includes a comprehensive evaluation of vehicle movements on the road, pedestrian and commuter time and motion studies, assessment of all possible mobility solutions, and urgent improvements in City Hall’s technological capacity to monitor the overall traffic situation in the city.
Nograles likewise proposed various transport solutions to ease congestion and improve mobility, including the possibility of opening the City to motorcycle taxi services.
“We can start with the small things that have a huge impact on traffic. For example, we have to make sure all our traffic lights work. We have to make sure that our roads are passable and not affected by illegally-parked vehicles.”
Nograles had previously said that Davao City has close to 8,000 jeepneys, more than 5,000 taxis, around 2,500 tricycle units, plus hundreds of buses and vans.
He has likewise proposed various transport solutions to ease congestion and improve mobility, including the possibility of opening the City to motorcycle taxi services and introducing free rides to students and commuters during rush hours especially after school and work.
Nograles added that “with the right approach and mindset, we will be able to slowly introduce solutions to the traffic problem. We should not have a defeatist attitude. Hindi puwedeng sabihin na ang tagal na niyan, ganyan na iyan, hayaan na lang.”
“Kailangan may baguhin tayo. We cannot accept the status quo. City Hall must be felt when it is needed the most, where it is needed the most.”
