I have lived in Bacolod City since birth and have seen it progress. Plaza Mart and Central Market were once the only centers for business in the city; at the time, it was already progress. Life back then was simple; there was no internet, shopping malls, or traffic. Yet, as the years go by, Bacolod City has become congested due to urban migration.

With an influx of investors and no job opportunities opening up with the advancement of technology, Bacolod City is a modern city, potentially on par with others in the country. With development, understandably, there will be more vehicles.

I don’t know if the city has concrete solutions – if they have, those policies need to be implemented.

We need leadership who can implement laws regardless of who gets hurt, as long as the majority benefit.

It is common knowledge the downtown area is congested because of traffic, sidewalk vendors, and public utility vehicle terminals. While we must continue progressing, there is also a need to apply the law and not turn a blind eye to reality.

With Bacolod City being recognized as the “most liveable city,” as a Bacoleño, I am happy to see such an award. However, I am also sad since the aforementioned congestion has yet to be addressed. On the contrary, it seems to be tolerated, with traffic enforcers not implementing the rules effectively; jeepney operators violate rules right in their face and they do nothing.

Is it even legal to tolerate jeepney terminals in the heart of the city?

Also, “no parking areas” are a myth. Vehicles park everywhere, at any given time; some businesses even reserve their street front as parking – it’s only in Bacolod City where establishments seem to own the rights to the road.

According to the National Building Code of the Philippines, before a business can operate, they must provide parking for their customers.

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Congratulations to Franklin Villanueva on his election as Parent-Teacher Association president for Estefania Elementary School. The induction ceremony is scheduled for July 18 at the school, with Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen ‘Caraps’ Paduano expected as inducting officer and guest speaker./WDJ