Operation ‘Hapsay Dalan’

by Rea Mae Hebia

As we can see Cagayan De Oro now is booming especially in terms of the economy.  Truly, everything needs process, process of everything. The city would not move without the leader, a leader that guides his down line to make impact to where he leads.

Dubbed as ‘the City Of Golden Friendship’ and because of that everything in the city should be in order. One best example of this is the traffic rules. Three years ago, Mayor Oscar Moreno implemented the "Hapsay Dalan", a project bent on instilling road safety and discipline to the citizens of Cagayan de Oro city, which really changed the feeling when you are in Cagayan de Oro.

Once upon a time, the city road was a nightmare. Literally and figuratively. The traffic was disastrous, the road congested existed almost everywhere, in every few minutes, some poor soul is crashed. All these, Mayor Moreno saw as something he needed to change.

Athelo Gabalo a Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) officer says that "deperensya ragyud ang dalan sauna ug karun pero para sa amoa nga mga RTA dako pagyud ang trabahuon para ma maau na ang traffic diri sa atong syudad. Pero di gyud nimo mapugngan basta naa na sa daghan tao pareha sa mga market, diha sa cogon ug divisoria" he added, as he is stationed in Cogon Market. Being that not everyone seems to use the infamous and nearly invincible white marked road, thus, making them safeguards for people to cross in the absence of such. Gabalo also mentioned in regards to the pedestrian lanes that "mas na disiplina ang mga tao karun compare sauna kay kabalo na sila asa dapit insakto mutabok".

Over the first few months of Moreno’s administration, many have reacted over the ‘Hapsay Dalan’ project. Some, stating that it’s ‘too much’ or ‘a bit overrating’ while others, students especially, saying ‘it’s about time’. Nevertheless, the city now is better than before. Kagay-anons seemed more disciplined now and cautious about their welfare when on the road. Though accidents happen once in a while, the Roads and Traffic Administration is ever optimistic.

With Moreno’s administration coming to a close, the question remains: will the ‘Hapsay Dalan’ fade too? Will Kagay-anons revert to their old selves? Will the streets return to becoming a nightmare for drivers, Kagay-anons and tourists? We will never know.

Honestly, it is just so amazing how people have learned to value their lives especially anywhere in the road. People are learning quite a few things, and a few tricks. In sum, everything should be in place in order to achieve the ideal city. The city has improved so much, and it’s only a matter of time before we meet the standards that of Davao or Cebu. Now, Cagayan de Oro really has the potential for it is better now. It maybe just the road we’re looking at, but it makes just as a difference as it reflects us, Kagay-anons.