Ben Contreras
PERHAPS it was a masterstroke for Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region 10 chief Alan Guro to erase negative public perception of his office, and the seminar conducted by their office to the Clean-10 and Cagayan de Oro Campaigners for Road Courtesy and Discipline (CDO-CRCD) did the trick.
The sincerity shown by them that morning could lead to greater cooperation between his office and the volunteer groups. It could also open the floodgates to cooperation of much greater scale involving more government agencies and the local government.
The prime goal of this is to find ways to help ease our growing traffic woes which is caused by many factors: growing number of vehicles in our not growing number of roads, poor engineering, oversupply of public transport, a great number of which are old and dilapidated, lack of knowledge on traffic rules and regulations, unqualified drivers and discourteous motorists, etc..
Let us not expect miracles for miracles are only for those with divine hands. But councilors Bong Lao and Zaldy Ocon (the latter who is eagerly looking forward to become the next vice mayor) have already made an initial meeting with CDO-CRCD on many traffic issues and concerns. We appreciate their eagerness to listen and sincerity to go into a working cooperation with the groups.
A scheduled committee hearing today afternoon will see invited government agencies and the volunteer groups tackling the traffic issues and concerns head on. Expected among them are LTFRB, LTO, DPWH, Highway Patrol, RTA, the volunteer groups, etc.
The public is hereby forewarned of operations to be conducted in the near future that may result in trafficelated apprehensions, from violation of franchises, driving without license or expired license, expired registration or no registration at all, “colorum” public transportation, unreported change of engine and chasis, violation of assigned routes and others.
The number of attendees was a surprise to me. Clean-10 came in throng led by their president Roy Maagad and PP Marlon Libot. CDO-CRCD didn’t want to be outnumbered, and it was led by our president Doy Ramiro.
Traffic woes in the city have not been addressed quite seriously. Admonitions from well-meaning citizens always fell on deaf ears. Maybe, this time, when other government agencies have shown their willingness to help and cooperate, something positive might just occur that would draw public support and admiration.
Special appreciation to Ralph Abragan who initiated the meeting with LTFRB-10 chief Guro that made the seminar possible and for arranging the initial meeting with the councilors Lao and Ocon.
So, good luck to all today.
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The controversial convention center project is shrouded with unanswered questions if not, downright corruption. When was it started? Why is it that it remains unfinished until today? Where did the money go? How much?
I used to call it the scarecrow. Today, I love to call it the “Tranformer” scarecrow but it’s still a scarecrow. It is an epitome of corruption.
That is why if I have my say, the Magtajas family should not accept the offer to rename it after the late mayor Ambing Magtajas. For me, that would be an insult.
