The Office of the City Administrator yesterday convened the Zamboanga City Traffic Operations Management (ZCTOM) Committee to address traffic woes especially exacerbated by various ongoing road/drainage projects in the city.

Assistant City Administrator Rodolfo Saavedra, Jr. presided over the meeting which included councilor VP Elago and representatives from the City Engineer’s Office, City Legal Office, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), as well as the transport, business and industrial groups.

ZCTOM resolved to compel contractors to strictly follow their work calendars to ensure the timely completion of their respective projects.

In particular, the committee recommended that no further excavation permits be issued until requesting contractors have completed the road/drainage work that is subject of an earlier issued excavation permit.

Moreover, the City Engineer’s Office and the City Administrator’s Office were tasked to regularly conduct site inspections to monitor project progress.

The group likewise discussed various measures to better manage vehicular traffic along Dr. Evangelista Street in Barangay Sta. Catalina pending the completion of the drainage/pipe laying project in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, a one-way traffic scheme is set to be carried out along Don Navarro Street to facilitate the implementation of a drainage project in Barangay San Jose Cawa-Cawa. (Claudine Uniana)