Citom Chair Eyes 10-year Traffic Plan

A ten-year traffic plan for the city will be set up as the new Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) board chairman assumes post soon.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama formally presented Ruben Almendras as the new Citom chairman to the media on July 26, 2013, during his daily press conference hours before his flight to Manila.

Almendras, a former Metro Cebu Water District general manager, is replacing former Citom board chairman Sylvan Jakosalem. He is also the brother of Cebu Vice-Governor Agnes Magpale and cabinet secretary Rene Almendras.

With a background in finance, he said that he will tackle traffic problems using the basics in management.

“If you cannot measure it, then you cannot manage it. Improving on data-gathering capabilities can also help in managing traffic.” Almendras said.

He said that addressing traffic problems can be lessened by making use of technology that is already available, as well as other resources at hand.

The new Citom chairman will meet the whole board on July 31. He wants to come up with a traffic plan that is feasible for 10 years for the city of Cebu, so that it will be useful for those who will be in-charge of the office in the future.

He also revealed that he has no plans yet of changing the Citom board composition since he is yet to further study the four ordinances creating it. Changes will just be made if necessary.

Mayor Rama first invited Almendras to be part of the City Government specializing in traffic during their meeting at Casino Español with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry last July 15. (Gessa Gunhuran, PIO Staff)