Local campaigning adds up on traffic problem

STA. ANA - An intense street campaign efforts by the local candidates here further worsened the traffic situation along the corner of the public market and parish church in the town proper.

According to the residents, traffic problem is already existing even before the start of the local campaign period and it is only during rush hour wherein employees  in major establishments in the neighboring places are rushing to report for work. 

This came as the concerned local government officials allegedly failed to address the problem despite the growing clamor from the residents and motorists to ease up the traffic condition.

"Mukha di kasama sa concern nila ang tungkol sa traffic. Pinababayaan lamang ito ng mga taga munisipyo. May pagkakataon pa nga mismo si mayor ang nagsabi na di baleng may traffic basta may kabuhayan lang  ang mga tao. Eh pwedi namang pagsabayin ang dalawa," Jayson Pangan, a resident here told Sun Star Pampanga.

However, they noted that traffic in town starts early morning and ends late in the evening. "Wala ng oras ang traffic di tulad ng dati tuwing rush our lamang," another resident here stated. 

Another factors that contribute to the problem are the existence of tricycle terminals along the stretch of national road here,  proliferation of side walks including ambulant vendors,  allowing fish dealers to unload at the side of the public market and accommodating private vehicles to park on the shoulder of the road. 

"Naintindihan naman natin na talagang masikip ang space natin sa bayan pero kung seseryosohin lang nila ang pagpapatupad ng batas sa kalsada ay mababawasan kahit papaano ang problema natin sa trapiko," Pangan added. 

Earlier, the local government here through Mayor Rommel Concepcion with the help of incumbent Congressman Aurelio Gonzales constructed an over hang in the ground floor of the public market to accommodate side walk vendors.

"Wala namang nangyari lalu lang dumami ang mga nagtitinda sa labas ng palengke," he stressed.

This over hang project was funded by Gonzales using his priority development funds amounting to at least P8- million according to one of the employees of the municipal government.