By Neska Centina

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia characterized a recent report from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on the increasing number of registered cars in Bacolod City as “good and bad news.”

“I say this is good news because it shows people have money and the economy is good.” he explained. “I say that this is bad news because this is traffic problem.”

The LTO recorded 84,000 registered cars in Bacolod City in 2016 alone. The figures increased to 92,000 the following year.

Leonardia, however, said there is no major city in the Philippines without traffic problems.

He said a remedy for the local traffic problem would be to come up with a masterplan, which he plans to coordinate with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim.

“MMDA, I believe, have the capabilities, expertise and competence to help us on this,” the mayor said.

A study last November by the Boston Consulting Group found Metro Manila, the area overseen by the MMDA, has the third worst traffic situation in Southeast Asia, behind Bangkok and Jakarta.

Part of the solution suggested by the mayor eyes includes implementing a one-way system along some major roads in the city at certain times.

This week, Leonardia will meet with Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya to discuss, not only traffic, but their line-up of infrastructure projects, in order to avoid duplication.

Leonardia, meanwhile, appealed to locals to bear with inconveniences brought about by their ongoing projects.

Last month, the Bacolod City Traffic Authority Office and the Traffic Management Unit made an appeal to the public seeking support and cooperation amid ongoing construction projects along various streets throughout the city.

The mayor also encouraged the public to provide feedback on the performance of the traffic enforcers.

“Every traffic enforcer must follow the rules and must do what he is supposed to do,” Leonardia stated./NC, WDJ