The Ilocos Times

By Dominic B. dela Cruz  (Staff Reporter) Laoag City —After a thorough study and a series of deferments, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved this city’s new traffic and order code. Laoag councilor Edison Bonoan thanked Laoag vice mayor and council presiding officer Vicentito M. Lazo for helping him in finalizing the ordinance as well as other council members who supported the measure. Mr. Bonoan, as the movant, noted that the ordinance applies to the operation of motorized vehicles—either private or public, animal-drawn vehicles and bicycles including electric bikes—and the conduct of pedestrians.   Traffic routes In the ordinance, the traffic route along Jose Rizal Street is designated as two-way street with parking not allowed on both sides. Likewise, the new code also designates “one way west bound”, “one way east bound”, “one way north bound” and “one way south bound” with their respective traffic signs. During peak hours, there will be “no left turn...

Laoag City —In an effort to curb the increasing number of road accidents in the province, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc ordered local government unit executives to intensify implementation of traffic laws, particularly those for motorcycles. In a letter addressed to the Association of the Barangay Council presidents, Mr. Manotoc reminded all concerned authorities to strictly enforce Republic Act 10054, also known as the “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009,” to ensure the safety of riders and passengers from life-threatening incidents.   “We have begun the strict implementation of laws for motorcycle riders. This has been one of my emphasis which is to ensure all our motorcycle riders [in Ilocos Norte] are of age, they have license, and they use helmets especially when on major roads,” he remarked during his “First 100 Days Report” on October 8, 2019. The Motorcycle Helmet Act mandates: “ All motorcycle riders, including drivers and back riders, s...

The DPWH first engineering district leads the road clearing operation along Rizal Street, Laoag City as per order of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Laoag police and the city’s barangay officials also assisted in the clearing operation. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff Reporter Laoag City —The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Laoag passed resolution authorizing the city’s police to implement the experimental traffic scheme (ETS) in the city. Laoag councilor Edison Bonoan, main sponsor of the resolution, said there is a need for a periodic introduction of traffic control measures due to the increasing volume of vehicles coming in the city. Mr. Bonoan, chairperson of the committee on transportation, believes that the increasing number of vehicles is due to the influx of commercial establishments in the city and neighboring municipalities. The ETS aims to decongest traffic density to ensure the smooth flow of vehicles and the safety of pedestrians especially during rush hours. Based on the ETS, a no left-turn policy along the stretch of J.P. Rizal St. from M. Dizon to Paco Roman Sts.   will be implemented; and westbound from Gen. Segundo Ave. to M. Siazon St. Parking on both sides of Rizal St. in the sa...

By Bernardo B. Ver II Contributor Laoag City —Motorists traversing the Laoag City to San Nicolas route are complaining of the heavy traffic. The heavy traffic began with the implementation of the “no left turn” policy along the Manila North Road from this city to neighboring San Nicolas town. P/Lt. Col. Amador Quiocho, Laoag City police chief, said it was only a dry-run to study the severe traffic congestion in the area. Traffic flow is slowing down as more vehicles enter and exit this city. A bypass road was recently opened going to this city from Paoay but it has not totally solved the city’s traffic congestion problems. The Ilocos Norte provincial government, meanwhile, is now planning to add another diversion road to ease the messy flow of vehicles. Expert says that road obstructions in San Nicolas are one of the main problems that the government has encountered since 2016. According to Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, the vehicles on the “double...

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Motorists trying to avoid everyday traffic in the city proper can now smile with relief as the Laoag City bypass road is now officially open. The bypass road was temporarily opened during the All-Saints’ Day and Christmas holidays to ease traffic along the city’s downtown area. With the resumption of work and school day on January 3, 2019, traffic in downtown Laoag went on smoothly as some motorists opted to take the alternate route going to the city’s Laoag International Airport area. From Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Karl Lenin Benigno, an employee of a Laoag university along the Airport Ave. shared his excitement over social media saying his “[T]ravel time to work is now only 15 minutes on normal speed” as compared before when he would be stuck in traffic for more or less 30 minutes at the Gilbert Bridge. “I guess I personally have to thank the good congressman [Rep. Rodolfo “Rudy” C. Fariñas] for the wonderfu...