The city government aims to connect the homes of the people through their workplaces as well as to their rest and recreation spaces to provide them options of how they can move about even if there will be a breakdown in public transportation systems.
In his first State of the City Address (SOCA) delivered during the 111th Baguio Charter Day anniversary program at the Baguio Convention Center (BCC) Tuesday, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong stated that the city was able to take back the road-rights-of-way (RROWs) through his administration’s unrelenting and uncompromising efforts and those of concerned government agencies with the demolition of some 167 structures to pave the way for unhampered mobility and free spaces designed for accessibility.
He disclosed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earmarked some P200 million to sustain the implementation of the long-standing re-development of sidewalks in the city’s central business district.
Further, parking facilities and transport terminal projects are under feasibility studies as part of the city’s deliberate intention to reform and improve public transportation services.
According to him, people will soon experience the rational traffic signalization of the different intersections and cross walks to ensure efficient movement and safe access within the different areas of the central business district.
The mayor revealed the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been providing the city technical assistance to develop a compressive traffic management plan.
He claimed that the city government is eyeing a P99 million grant for the city’s Smart traffic system and a possible P198 million grant from the DPWH for the city’s traffic control system.
Last year, the city government tapped the MMDA to do a comprehensive study on the city’s traffic problem and to formulate a comprehensive traffic plan that could be adopted to help in effectively and efficiently addressing the monstrous traffic congestions in the different intersections around the central business district area.
Subsequently, the MMDA submitted its comprehensive report with its findings and recommendations on how the city can address the traffic problem and these are now the bases for the implementation of various programs and projects to improve the traffic flow right in the heart of the city.
The city started the initial wave of interventions in addressing the traffic problem by transferring some of the jeepney staging and parking areas located along major roads in the city to areas outside the central business district area so that congestions could be avoided, especially during rush hours both in the afternoons and mornings.
The city also intends to replace the traditional traffic lights with the Smart Traffic System to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic both in intersections and cross walks to untoward incidents that will comprise the safety of the public and guarantee the overall safety of motorists and pedestrians alike.
By Dexter A. See
Photo by: Armando M. Bolislis