APEC Minister Says Traffic in Cebu is a NIGHTMARE!

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) delegates were allowed to experience our local transportation in a technical tour last Saturday, October 10, 2015. Among the 180 delegates were transportation ministers from the different 21 countries. One minister describes our traffic situation as a “nightmare.” Minister of Transportation and Communications of Chinese Taipei Chi-Kuo Lin told Philippine Star, “I think the traffic is a nightmare to the Cebu. But, I know, as I know that the Philippine government had already been planning like the jeepney reform and also some other infrastructure projects. I believe that the future of the transportation in Cebu should be better than today.”

What needs to be improved?

Minister Lin shared that in Taipei and Kaoshiung, “we have a very convenient and a very quality metro system and bus. And even though we have the convenient transport system, we also have a bike which is for the public.” He also mentioned that they have strong infrastructure. All these things Cebu can adapt.

The Philippine Star reported that the tour also included a ride on the new My Bus, described as state-of-the-art, energy-efficient buses from Europe which is scheduled to hit the streets of Cebu by November 16, 2015. The minister commended the features such as the ramps for the disabled. However, Minister Lin commented that “the vehicle is a little bit noisy, not in the engine but maybe it’s in the body. I do not know what’s going on.”

Highway Patrol Group willing and preparing to help Cebu.

The Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) reiterated their openness in lending Cebu a hand. PNP-HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said, “Personally ha, honestly, kulang kami sa tao. So nag re-recruit pa kami, para in case mabigyan kami ng trabaho dito sa Cebu, at least meron na tayong pwersa na nakahanda. Ang pagmamando kasi ng trapiko, kailangan ng maraming tao, kailangan ng maraming shifts. (Honestly, we lack the manpower. So we’re recruiting so that in case we’ll be tasked to help in Cebu, at least we’ll have the manpower ready. Supervising traffic really needs a lot of people, it needs a lot of shifts.)”

After his visit to Cebu last week, he shared his observations, “Nakikita mo talaga dahil maraming mga malls, maraming mga establishments na mga bago at hindi naman lumalapad iyong daan. (You really see that there are more malls, more establishments but the roads are not widening.)” Meanwhile, the people of Cebu wait excitedly for the change in the traffic situation.