ILOILO CITY – The city government here has asked the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a study on the traffic situation and the comprehensive drainage plan in Iloilo City.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III on Monday said that he raised said concerns before the country director of the USAID when the latter visited this city recently. He said that he requested the USAID if it could come up with a feasibility study on the two concerns.
“Unless there is really a comprehensive traffic study, you can never solve (the problem),” he said.
He also announced that he is putting on hold the proposed Intelligent Transport System (ITS) project, initiated by his predecessor, dismissed Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
He said that he found the PHP25 million project “not doable in the meantime” and he is “not satisfied.”
“We jump to the intelligent transport system when we don’t have a comprehensive study. We ask first for a feasibility study,” he cited.
The proposed ITS, initially proposed to be installed at the Diversion Road, has for its components the acquisition of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and the establishment of a command center.
“I want to really look at it at the perspective of practicability and the acquisition of equipment. As mayor I can review it,” he said.
The project was already bid out, the winning bidder identified and just waiting for the signature of the mayor.
In addition to the feasibility study on traffic situation, Espinosa also asked for a study on the comprehensive drainage plan.
“I am waiting for a response from the USAID,” he said. (PNA)
