CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city’s much-anticipated transport master plan is expected to be revealed during an upcoming joint committee meeting at the City Council next week, as confirmed by an administration councilor on Tuesday.
Councilor Romeo Calizo made this announcement during the program ‘Ang Inyong Konseho Karon,’ hosted by the City Information Office. He mentioned that the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) has provided assurance that the transport master plan for the city will be presented during a joint meeting. This meeting will involve the 20th City Council’s committee on public utilities, which Councilor Calizo chairs, and the committee on planning and development.
“CPDO chief Ramil Balquin said they may present the transport master plan next week…only then can we see if it would complement the Local Public Transport Plan (LPTRP) that we submitted to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) since our LPTRP was submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for review,” explained Councilor Calizo.
Calizo noted that out of the 78 routes listed in the city’s LPTRP, only 33 are currently in active service.
In a prior interview, Balquin emphasized that the city’s transport master plan would need to consider ongoing transport projects at the national level, such as the Mindanao Railway System. Cagayan de Oro City is slated to host a boarding station for the railway project, which will span from Villanueva to Laguindingan.
Additionally, Balquin mentioned that the city is exploring the possibility of implementing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
Councilor Calizo stressed the importance of acquiring more modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) to serve the remaining 43 routes outlined in the city’s LPTRP. This expansion is essential to accommodate employees and students who often rely on alternative transportation options, especially during late-night hours.
Regarding traffic management, Calizo expressed that the city’s immediate need is more roads, rather than installing new traffic lights. This expansion of road infrastructure is crucial for alleviating traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours.
He concluded, “This will, of course, take time…for now, what we are doing is implementing palliative solutions (to ease the city’s traffic congestion)…we do need more roads,” Calizo stated in Visayan. (CDO PIO)
