BAGUIO CITY – The promotion of “walkable” roads in the university belt, within the Central Business District (CBD) was proposed during the Transport and Traffic Management Committee (TTMC) meeting at city hall last week.
Among other issues discussed, proponent and TTMC member Dr. Mark de Guzman said “Baguio City’s CBD is a good model for a walkable (area) because building locations are concentric in nature…” The advocacy may later be adopted, if proven effective, within the whole CBD, de Guzman said.
de Guzman presented pictures of vehicular congestion within the General Luna-Assumption Road intersection. He earlier conducted monitoring and traffic count during peak hours on consecutive days, thus the proposal.
Unloading for taxis and cars at McDonald’s Assumption and St. Louis Center Gen. Luna was recommended for those going to any of the schools in the area. Cars occupied by patients bound for any of the hospitals in the vicinity are allowed to enter the area, the proposal states. Members of the TTMC task force shall inspect and identify loading and unloading areas, including signages for a proposed experimentation period.
The provision of parking area for students was also emphasized, as with another school along Claro M. Recto. The TTMC, chaired by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, recommended that school authorities be informed of the requirement for parking areas.
The mayor tasked TTMC members to dialogue with barangay officials, drivers and public utility vehicles and private individuals affected by roadside parking allotments. Sharing as to a Memorandum of Agreement was proposed for barangay officials.
For public and tourist utility transport units applying for parking areas, a road measurement capacity and availability of off-street parking area should be submitted, for endorsement to the city council.
A confirmation for loading and unloading areas within the CBD was also looked into.
Some drivers’ association also decried the early opening of the night market, which impedes traffic in Harrison road./Julie G. Fianza
