ILOILO City – Property developers may soon be required to shoulder part of the cost of road improvements needed to ease traffic congestion caused by their projects under a proposed ordinance approved by the Iloilo City Council.
The Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) Ordinance seeks to hold developers accountable for the additional traffic generated by condominiums, commercial establishments, office buildings and other major projects.
Under the measure, developments generating at least 100 vehicle trips per hour during peak periods must undergo a traffic impact assessment before securing locational clearance or zoning compliance.
Projects within 50 meters of major intersections, those increasing parking demand, and developments converting low-intensity land use into commercial use will also be covered.
DEVELOPERS TO SHARE COSTS
A key provision introduces an infrastructure cost-sharing scheme requiring developers to contribute proportionately to off-site road improvements when their projects worsen traffic conditions.
These improvements may include road widening, pedestrian overpasses, public transportation bays, parking facilities, and designated loading and unloading areas.
However, developers will not be held solely responsible for existing road deficiencies or congestion unrelated to their projects.
Cost-sharing arrangements will be formalized through agreements with the city government, subject to City Council approval.
MAJOR PROJECTS COVERED
The ordinance covers residential developments with at least 100 units or occupying more than one hectare, commercial establishments with at least 810 square meters of floor area, and office buildings measuring at least 1,575 square meters.
Also covered are hotels with at least 100 rooms, public hospitals with at least 50 beds, private hospitals with at least 85 beds, and educational facilities occupying at least 2,500 square meters.
Industrial facilities, convention centers, fast-food establishments, gasoline stations and other developments meeting prescribed thresholds will likewise be subject to assessment.
Smaller projects may instead undergo a Traffic Operational Analysis to determine their localized traffic impact.
STRICTER OVERSIGHT, PENALTIES
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna and approved by the City Council on November 11, establishes a Traffic Impact Management System Unit (TIMSU), chaired by the City Planning and Development Office, to evaluate assessments, determine necessary road improvements and monitor compliance.
The unit will include representatives from the zoning, traffic management, engineering, legal and data management offices.
Developers must also submit loading and unloading management plans to prevent vehicles from obstructing traffic lanes.
Assessment filing and review fees will range from P5,000 to P50,000, depending on project size and complexity.
Violators who fail to incorporate approved traffic mitigation measures into their construction plans face an initial P5,000 fine and a six-month compliance period.
Continued violations may result in the suspension of permits and licenses, while noncompliance extending beyond one year after a notice of violation and hearing may lead to their cancellation.
Professionals submitting fabricated or misleading traffic assessments may also lose their accreditation./PN
