Lucena City OKs ordinance for experimental one-way traffic scheme

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Councilor Americo Lacerna speaks during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Lucena City where Ordinanc...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Councilor Americo Lacerna speaks during a regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Lucena City where Ordinance No. 2915 was approved on third and final reading. (Sangguniang Panlungsod - Lucena City)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - For the next three months, selected streets in Lucena City will operate under a new traffic system after the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Lucena City approved on third and final reading Ordinance No. 2915. Authorizing a three-month experimental one-way traffic and parking scheme it seeks to test alternative traffic routes and parking arrangements to address persistent congestion before the city adopts any permanent changes.

During its first regular session of the year after completing its calendar of business and confirming the absence of unfinished legislative items the city council approved the ordinance. Results from the three-month pilot period will guide decisions on whether the city modifies, expands, or institutionalizes the traffic scheme as part of its long-term traffic management policy.



Councilor Americo Lacerna, chair of the Committee on Franchises, Transportation and Communication, Parking and Utilities, principally authored and sponsored the measure. Vice Mayor Roderick Dondon Alcala presided over the session as the council approved the ordinance through the required motion, second, and vote on third reading.

The ordinance responds to rising traffic volume in central and residential corridors where public transport, private vehicles, and pedestrian activity converge daily. Narrow road widths and mixed land use continue to strain traffic flow, particularly during peak commuting hours.

Under the approved traffic plan, tricycle drivers—both private and public—traveling from the North Section toward the Bicol direction will follow designated one-way routes linked to Old Manila South Road via Dumacaa Bridge. The mapped routes direct tricycle traffic through inner streets such as Enriquez, Ravanzo, Valdeavilla, Granja, Cabana, Del Pilar, and Juarez, while traffic planners designated several roads as one-way and retained selected segments as two-way to maintain access.

The route configuration seeks to manage vehicle flow on narrow streets and organize tricycle movement within affected areas. Traffic authorities will monitor conditions along these routes throughout the experimental period to assess travel time, congestion points, and road safety.

A separate re-routing scheme covers public utility jeepneys serving the East Section of the city, including Calmar, Red V, and Site routes. Under the plan, PUJ drivers will pass through Old Manila South Road at Dumacaa Bridge before following a looped traffic pattern across inner streets such as Gomez, Merchan, Barcelona, Recto, Perez, Juarez, and QA, eventually reconnecting to major thoroughfares.

Directional markings guide motorists by indicating one-way vehicle movement on several roads, while traffic authorities retain limited two-way sections for controlled access and circulation. Traffic personnel will oversee compliance and assist motorists and public transport drivers during the implementation period.

The trial period allows city authorities to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed routes, identify problems early, and make adjustments based on actual traffic conditions before committing to long-term changes. On-ground monitoring will inform decisions on route design, enforcement strategies, and parking controls.

As the council entered the third and final reading, parliamentary rules restricted deliberations to voting. During the proceedings, Councilor Sunshine raised a point of clarification on safeguard provisions, focusing on the authority of the Task Force on Road Order and Discipline should the experimental scheme worsen traffic conditions.

“In case the traffic build-up in the City of Lucena becomes a lot more unbearable as a direct result of this ordinance, the Task Force on Road Order and Discipline shall have the authority to revert to the original traffic scheme, even before the end of the three-month experimental period, and report the same to the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” Sunshine said, citing Section 11.

She explained that amendments discussed during the second reading sought to remove language allowing the task force to redesignate streets as two-way. The clarification aimed to limit the task force’s authority to reverting to the original traffic scheme if congestion worsened.

“It was supposed to read that the task force shall have the authority to revert to the original traffic scheme, even before the end of the three-month experimental period, so we will not be confused as to the contents and the authority of the task force,” she said.

Ordinance No. 2915 includes provisions on traffic signage, enforcement, penalties, and continuous monitoring. The ordinance authorizes city authorities to suspend or reverse the experimental setup if unintended traffic impacts occur.

City offices—including the Traffic Management Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Administrator’s Office, City Planning and Development Office, City Engineering Office, and City Legal Office—collaborated in drafting the measure. Transport groups, business representatives, barangay officials, and public and private schools also participated in consultations.

Before final approval, the council conducted a series of meetings and public hearings to map proposed routes and designated parking areas for public and private vehicles. The three-month experimental period will serve as the basis for evaluation, possible adjustments, or future traffic management decisions in Lucena City.

Lacerna earlier underscored the need for clarity and practicality in implementing traffic interventions, noting that experimental schemes are meant to address real-world conditions rather than add complexity. He said Lucena City needs a traffic rerouting plan that people can actually follow and understand, not one that creates more confusion on the road.

“We need a traffic rerouting plan that people can actually follow and understand, not one that creates more confusion on the road,” Lacerna said. He added, “This six-month experimental period allows the city to test routes, identify problems early, and make corrections based on real conditions.”

He added that the trial period allows city authorities to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed routes before committing to long-term changes. This experimental period allows the city to test routes, identify problems early, and make corrections based on real conditions.

“Proper enforcement requires careful coordination between offices. Without it, even well-planned routes can fail to improve traffic. Everyone must follow the same standards to make the system work,” Lacerna said.

Traffic authorities will focus monitoring efforts on identifying bottlenecks, assessing passenger flow, and evaluating parking arrangements. With findings expected to guide subsequent policy actions, the outcome of the trial will determine whether the city recalibrates its traffic approach or moves toward permanent changes.