The ongoing dry run for public utility vehicles using the terminal at the Robinsons Place mall is dividing members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dumaguete City.

At the SP regular session Wednesday, opposing legislators took turns in tackling the issue that has been plaguing the city, its officials, the business sector, and the transport group for about three weeks now.

Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova slammed insinuations that the resolution passed by the SP, asking Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria to put a halt to the dry run was “politicized”.

Cordova said that, during the voting, four pro-administration and three opposition councilors voted for the passage of the resolution.

Cordova and some members of the SP had said earlier that the dry run was implemented only through a resolution of the Traffic Management Council, and without the approval of the SP that, he said, has the mandate to regulate traffic in the city under the Local Government Code.

Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Eduard Du, said the business community is supportive of the dry run. He said the city is progressing so fast that a legitimate and spacious terminal should be in place now, unless the Dumaguetnons prefer vehicular congestions and chokepoints everywhere.

Regional operations chief, Macario Getaruelas, of the Land Transportation Office said it is high time the city gathers all transport groups in a terminal authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. He said the dry run is necessary to determine how to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

LTO Dumaguete chief, Roland Ramos, challenged those opposed to the trial period to muster 500 signatures to stop it, but did not set the duration of the dry run.*JFP/JG

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