BACOLOD City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to temporarily hold the implementation of new road projects in the city this month to prevent traffic congestion.
“They should hold their project until the end of MassKara Festival and right after the celebration, they can implement the projects,” Benitez said Monday, October 9.
He said the DPWH should also fast-tract the ongoing road construction to address the traffic congestion, especially along Lopez-Jaena Street.
He added that the DPWH already agreed to his request for the success of the festival.
The mayor noted that the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) already has its traffic rerouting plan that was implemented from October 6 to 22.
For his part, Major Junjie Liba, head of BTAO, said from October 6 to 22, the road closure at the Bacolod Public Plaza will be from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. of the following day.
He said that from October 19 to 22, the road closure at Lacson Tourism Strip will be from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following day.
On October 21, BTAO will implement a road closure from St. Francis Street to Lopue’s East for the electric MassKara from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On October 22, a road closure will also be implemented from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bacolod Public Plaza and Gonzaga Street for the MassKara Street and Arena Dance competition, Liba added.
Liba noted that several traffic enforcers were also deployed in various areas to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
Executive Assistant Patrick Lacson, consultant for traffic, also apologized for the inconvenience of traffic at the MassKara Festival.
"We are doing our best to address the traffic situation in various areas of the city,” he said.
He added that they will intensify their information dissemination to inform the public as well as the motorists so they can avoid congested areas.*
