LTO 7 Exec Opposes Rama’s Plan to Ban Motorcycles from South Coastal Road

(PNA) — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s plan to ban motorcycles from the Cebu South Coastal Road was opposed by a senior official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7.

The Cebu South Coastal Road, a national road, traverses the Cebu City government-owned 300-hectare South Road Properties (SRP).

Rama wants to enforce the ban to curb the alarming increase of vehicular accidents in the area.

But LTO 7 Director Arnel Tancinco said the plan is not an effective solution and would only contribute to the worsening traffic situation there.

Tancinco said the city needs to re-examine its traffic plan, statistics and details to come up with an “absolute” solution.

Rama said the LTO, a national agency, should not only put the responsibility on the local government unit but also help in finding doable solutions.

“SRP is a national road therefore LTO has the power to address this concern,” he said.

Rama insisted a ban would be an effective step.

Cebu City Attorney Gerone Castillo said a total of 592 accidents involving motorcycles in which nine people died were recorded at the south coastal road.

Castillo said Rama can impose a ban on motorcycles to abate a “crisis situation.”

He cited Section 21 (c) of the Local Government Code which says, “any national or local road, alley, park, or square may be temporarily closed during an actual emergency.” (PNA) LAP/EB