The Zamboanga City Traffic Operations Management (ZCTOM) has approved the conduct of a one week dry run for the “Pick and Go” traffic scheme from March 20-27, pending the issuance of an executive order by Mayor John Dalipe.

The resolution was approved during the ZCTOM meeting Friday, March 15, presided over by Assistant City Administrator for City Affairs Dolph Saavedra on behalf of Mayor Dalipe.

The “Pick and Go” scheme will cover only the franchise holders or franchised Public Utility Jeepneys and vehicles (PUJs/PUVs) plying the Route B of the Zamboanga West Transport Service Cooperative (ZaWesTSCo), Marena Transport Corporation, and Talon-Talon Transport Corporation.

The dry run period aims to provide traffic enforcers and authorities concerned the opportunity to see and assess for themselves the actual flow of commuters and vehicular traffic at a given time on the Route B before it will be implemented permanently.

The dry run has been shelved for weeks now due to issues and concerns that needed clarifications. This time, it will be pushed through as scheduled, and any problems encountered in the process will be properly addressed after the weeks’ time.

The ZCTOM also approved the following:
– The traffic re-routing scheme at Barangay Zone 2 to pave the way for the construction of a drainage project within 72 calendar days;
– Closure of road leading to the bridge in San Roque for the construction or rehabilitation of the same bridge thereat for a period of 350 calendar days;
– Temporary road closure at Zone 6, Calle San Vicente in Barangay Ayala for the construction of a drainage system thereat for a period of 85 days.

Meanwhile, the ZCTOM held in abeyance the proposed one-way traffic scheme in Tetuan, pending further study and recommendation of the Barangay Council of Tetuan.

The proposal would have declared entry to Tetuan as one-way from Don Toribio St. all the way straight right to Falcatan St. turn right to Don Alfaro St. and exit straight to Veterans Ave. But this was shelved for further study.

Present during the ZCTOM meeting were Councilors VP Elago and Jordan Daniel Evangelista, Engr. Alvin Manuel and Engr. Leonard Alcala, Traffic Division head Col. Chester Natividad, Compac, representatives from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB-9) and officers/members of the different transport groups, and other stakeholders.—(Vic Larato)