To address longstanding urban challenges in Naga, Mayor Leni Robredo has tapped a team of Manila-based urban planners to help rationalize the use of city-owned facilities, manage traffic congestion, and bring order to public spaces, especially those now heavily occupied by roadside vendors.
“We need to make sure that every government facility is properly organized so their efficiency is not hampered. Right now, we are facing issues brought by disorganized parking, uncontrolled/unregulated street vending, traffic congestion, and newly constructed buildings that were not developed under a comprehensive plan,” Robredo said.
The mayor and the urban planning team began their site inspections on Friday, July 11, starting at the Naga City General Hospital (NCGH), where they assessed the layout and functionality of buildings within the Balatas Development Complex. Hospital staff showed them the location of the Outpatient Department (OPD), which is situated more than a hundred meters from the hospital’s main building.
Robredo noted the inefficient setup, pointing out that the OPD’s distance from the main hospital building inconveniences patients, especially during inclement weather, and affects the overall service delivery. She added that food from the hospital kitchen—located separately—is currently being transported by carts, a practice deemed unacceptable by the urban planners.
“This is why we are pushing for rationalization in how these buildings are used. Every structure here should complement the others so that all offices and services function seamlessly,” Robredo stressed.
The team also visited Liboton Street, a four-lane stretch being considered as a pilot area for a new street design focused on pedestrian and bicycle mobility. Robredo said the proposed layout, being finalized in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), will dedicate more space to walkways and bike lanes—an initiative aimed at promoting alternative mobility and easing vehicular traffic in the city.
“The design will encourage more people to walk and use bicycles. That means less traffic congestion and a healthier lifestyle for our citizens,” she said.
The final stop of the site inspection was Barangay Dinaga, where the elevated Naga River Esplanade will soon rise. The esplanade, stretching from Danlugan near the Naga City People’s Mall to Panganiban Bridge and further to Magsaysay Bridge near the Peñafrancia Basilica, is set to begin construction with Phase 1 funding already downloaded.
Mayor Robredo emphasized that the esplanade will not only boost local tourism and provide scenic, shaded walking paths lined with trees—it will also double as a flood control measure. Once completed, the four-phase project will allow pedestrians to travel a long stretch from downtown to the Basilica without using congested main roads.
“This will encourage more people to walk, and walking is one of the best and healthiest habits we can promote in a growing city like ours,” she said.
Robredo said she is awaiting detailed recommendations from the urban planners, which will guide the city government in crafting long-term solutions to urban congestion and facility planning. | via Jason B. Neola
