City Hall initiates a consultation meeting to gather feedback from stakeholders on the proposal to implement a 24/7 one-way traffic scheme along the main thoroughfares of Barangays Baliwasan and San Jose Gusu.

The consultation, held Wednesday, June 3 at the City Hall conference room stemmed from Executive Order No. KHYM 097-2026 issued by Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso, which currently imposes an experimental one-way traffic scheme during peak hours from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

During the meeting, a majority of business owners, establishment representatives, and other stakeholders expressed that they were more favorable to retaining the existing peak-hour schedule rather than expanding the one-way traffic scheme to a 24/7 implementation. Among the concerns raised were the longer travel and walking distances that students, commuters, and customers may experience.

Participants also emphasized the need for stricter traffic enforcement and urged the Department of Public Works and Highways to expedite the completion of the San Jose Gusu Bridge project and improve faded pedestrian lane markings in the area.

The Barangay Captain of Baliwasan committed to deploy barangay tanods to assist in traffic management, while city officials assured stakeholders that their concerns and recommendations would be taken into consideration before any decision is made.

Present during the meeting were Councilors Rey Bayoging and Litlit Macrohon, City Legal Officer Atty. Evangeline Doctolero, City Planning Coordinator Ma. Luz Agbayani, Executive Assistant Ret. Gen. Edwin De Ocampo, Assistant City Administrator Christian Olasiman, Assistant City Engineer Joy Lee, representatives from the DPWH and ZCPO, affected establishments, and barangay officials from the areas covered by the proposed traffic scheme.(Sheyn Arambala) (photos: Jennelyn Casido)