Dumaguete's New One Way Streets

In order to get a handle on the horrific traffic problems in Dumaguete, the powers that be have initiated a plan to increase the number of one way streets in the city. Prior to the initiation of this plan, three of the four main north/south arteries - Rizal Blvd., Perdices, Real and Cervantes streets - were already one way from 6 AM until 8 PM. Now, a number of streets running east/west, which had previously allowed traffic in both directions, are now one way only.

The police in Dumaguete had recently begun to take double parking seriously. This increased enforcement had eased some of the traffic snafus and many are hoping the new one way streets will improve the situation even more.

Yesterday, my wife and I had reasons to travel into the city twice. That morning, I needed to go to the immigration office on Dr V Locsin street to get information concerning my annual report due soon. It was around 9:30 AM as we passed Lee Plaza - the traffic appeared to be flowing smoothly. It's difficult to say from this incident how well the traffic will improve; at that time of day, the traffic in front of Lee Plaza isn't usually a problem.

In the afternoon, I drove my wife to the Manulife office near Robinson's Mall. This would be the ultimate test of the new traffic regulations. Unfortunately, the bridge crossing the Banica river on Perdices street is being widened now, and this repair work is causing a traffic jam around the Ceres Bus terminal. However, other than the jam caused by the bridge repair, the traffic on the south side of town seems to have improved slightly.

All in all, I'd say the one way street scheme appears to be of some help. It will bring about a on my old routes for getting from A to B, but I can adapt.

Yes, the one way streets have helped, but I'm afraid the traffic situation won't be 100% smooth flowing until something is done about the number of tricycles in the city and until the city deals with the lack of parking spaces available for automobiles.