1 week ago
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ILOILO CITY — The city government has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways-Western Visayas (DPWH-6) to expedite the installation of traffic lights along the Iloilo Sunset Boulevard following a series of vehicular accidents in the area.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, in a letter dated March 3 to DPWH-6 Director Sanny Boy Oropel, said that the lack of pedestrian traffic lights and inadequate street lighting have made the area a dangerous zone for motorists and pedestrians.
"It has come to our attention that there were several motor vehicular accidents and pedestrian-related accidents along circumferential roads located at the boundaries of Mandurriao, Jaro and Villa districts," he said.
"The absence of pedestrian traffic lights and the inadequacy of streetlights are two of the major causes of these accidents. As the father of the city, I cannot bear witness to another incident involving our constituents."
The mayor's appeal comes in the wake of the latest fatal crash involving a 26-year-old motorcycle rider who was hit by a car along the boulevard in Sooc, Arevalo.
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The victim sustained severe head and body injuries on Feb. 27 and succumbed to his injuries after two days in the hospital.
Aside from the installation of traffic lights, the city mayor also requested the construction of additional lay-bys and parking areas to improve traffic management.
The city government has also taken immediate steps to enhance road safety in the area.
The Traffic and Transportation Management Office, meanwhile, has been directed to intensify monitoring and implement preventive measures, while the Land Transportation Office has been asked to conduct surprise inspections to ensure compliance with road safety regulations.
The city government also committed to installing four floodlights, powerful enough to enhance visibility at intersections.
"We will not take this lightly. We will do everything necessary to make our roads safer," Treñas added.
