Every time I discuss traffic with friends, my mind immediately drifts back to my nearly two-year experience of biking to work, from home to SunStar and back. I was forced into cycling due to the relentless congestion on Cebu's roads.
The Daily Gridlock: A Commuter's Nightmare
There were times when traffic would stretch from Brgy. Pit-os all the way to Ay Center. The congestion was so severe that lines of vehicles would come to a complete halt, and when they did move, it was at a snail's pace.
The journey often lasted over two hours, sometimes extending to three when road conditions were at their worst, with bumper-to-bumper traffic everywhere. My wife's colleague would leave home past 6 a.m. and arrive past 9 a.m. The trip from Bacayan to GMA 7 in Brgy. Apas, passing through Gaisano Country Mall, Tesda, JY, and up to Busay, was utterly exhausting.
From Biking to Scooters: A Necessary Change
As scooters and motorcycles proliferated, I stopped biking to work and purchased a scooter to transport and pick up my wife, who was frequently late due to traffic. I saw no other viable option; the scooter was the fastest and most convenient method available.
The Root of the Problem: Lack of Action
What's disheartening is that, despite the long-standing nature of this issue, authorities have only recognized the problem without implementing solutions. The situation has worsened, outpaced by rapid urbanization. While sudden city growth was anticipated, the changes suggested by studies from foreign institutions were never enacted.
These recommendations weren't utilized because officials were more focused on discussing the problem than following through with solutions. I once asked a businessman involved in government planning about this, and his response was that the costs were too high. Meanwhile, tall buildings continued to rise.
Urbanization and Infrastructure Stagnation
Today, widening roads is nearly impossible because condominiums now line the streets. The population has surged, vehicles have multiplied, but the roads remain unchanged. Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) have only been replaced with modern versions, and the PUJ modernization implementation has largely failed.
Is There Still Hope for Government Intervention?
Yes, there is potential for action, but it lacks political will. Fear of public backlash has prevented any meaningful solutions from being implemented. As I often emphasize, mass transport systems like LRT and BRT, along with protected, segregated bike lanes, are the answer.
This could be achieved with strong political will and support from barangay captains, mayors, and up to the governor. However, so far, efforts have been limited to discussions. Meetings continue endlessly without resolution, leaving commuters in a perpetual state of gridlock.
