3 days Ago By Earl Kim H. Padronia
THE Cebu City Council, citing safety concerns, has called for a review on the safety risks posed by trees along Transcentral Highway (TCH), following a fatal accident, and is considering relocating the trees to prevent further hazards to motorists. Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr. raised concerns about the safety risks posed by these trees to motorists during his privilege speech on Wednesday, Dec.
18, 2024. In response, the council directed the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)--Cebu City District Engineering Office to assess these risks. In his privilege speech, Alcover urged CCENRO and DPWH to explore the possibility of earth-balling and transferring the trees to ensure public safety.
Citing a Dec. 9 newspaper report, Alcover informed the council about a fatal accident on Dec. 8 involving a motorcycle driver who crashed into a tree located within the TCH’s right-of-way.
“Those trees were inside the road...
I saw at least 10 trees that were located inside the road,” Alcover said. Alcover said that while there was negligence on the part of the driver, the location of the tree had caused the incident resulting in the driver’s death. According to the police report, upon reaching a curve, the driver attempted to overtake a private vehicle on the right side.
However, he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a tree. Alcover added that these trees have contributed to traffic congestion aside from the hazard risk those trees posed in Brgy. Busay and along the TCH, as the planted areas have been converted into makeshift parking lots and small stores.
“I want to clarify that I am not against environmental protection of our trees. Yet, this is in (a) clash with the right to life or public safety of our constituents. I will always side with the sanctity of human life over the environment,” he said, stressing the balance between prioritizing the environment and public safety.
During the discussion, City Councilor Joel Garganera said the location of those trees might not be inside the road, but rather in |the sidewalk. Garganera said that the level of the sidewalk has been moved down to the level of the road, resulting in non-delineation between the road and the walkway. He urged the Cebu City Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement Team to intensify the clearing operation along this road against those illegal parking and shops that encroached on the sidewalk.
Alcover, in response, said the City Government must also resolve these concerns including the installation of an early-warning device or safety hazard signs. City Councilor Phillip Zafra said there was a lapse on the part of the DPWH as it did not remove the safety hazards such as trees and utility poles that might have caused incidents. Zafra added that CCENRO must also look into those trees to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
City Councilor Joy Augustus Young, for his part, said traffic discipline must be observed as some drivers tend to violate traffic laws resulting in accidents. / EHP.
