AN ordinance that seeks to regulate the use of the South Coastal Road tunnel was temporarily set aside as the Cebu City Council debated the need to set a speed limit for vehicles using the tunnel.
The councilors also wanted to clarify who is tasked to implement the provisions of the regulatory ordinance drafted by Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, chairman of the council’s infrastructure committee.
“How will the apprehension (of erring drivers) be done? Will their drivers license be confiscated or will they just be issued a citation ticket?” asked Councilor Noel Wenceslao.
The councilors conducted final deliberations on the draft ordinance in yesterday’s session.
Cabarrubias drafted the ordinance shortly after the tunnel was opened for public use almost two years ago.
He told the council yesterday that the tunnel was designed for vehicles weighing a maximum of 40 tons.
“We can let any vehicle pass regardless of the weight,” he said.
Cabarrubias said a prohibition is only imposed on vehicles carrying explosives, flammable substances and chemicals that may cause contamination or corrosion.
He said if his draft ordinance is approved, two- and three-wheel vehicles like motorcycles and tricycles would be banned from the tunnel.
Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. said the proposed ordinance should fix the speed limit for vehicles using the tunnel.
Cabarrubias said the allowable speed limit inside the tunnel should be 60 kilometers per hour, which the Department of Public Works and Highways allows as shown in a sign near the tunnel.
But Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said 60 kph may be too fast.
“If we pass the ordinance, we operate with the presumption that the citizenry are law abiding. There is no need to immediately acquire speed guns to pass the ordinance,” Cabarrubias said.
A speed gun would measure the speed of vehicles passing through the tunnel.
With their concerns left unanswered, the councilor agreed to defer discussion of Cabarrubias’ draft ordinance for one week.