A Provincial Board (PB) Member has proposed to have police or traffic enforcers stationed at the man-made forest in Bilar, a popular stopover where tourists take photos along a serpentine road which is also a key highway that connects Tagbilaran City and surrounding towns to interior Bohol.

The preventive measure is aimed at promoting the safety of tourists, who often take photos even in the middle of the highway, particularly by designating government personnel to man the traffic in the area to prevent road accidents, said Board Member Victor Balite.

“Bahin sa man-made forest na posibli pila ka adlaw gikan karon o pila kabuwan dunay g’yuy maaksidente diha kundi ta mag matngon kay labina kanang lugara diha daghan na kaayo ng mga turista so mao to akong gi-brought up sa atong session kaganiha na mas maayo kung dunay mag bantay diha o traffic enforcer ba kaha,” said Balite in a privilege speech during the PB’s regular session on Friday last week.

According to Balite, Board Member Ricky Masamayor who chairs the PB’s committee on public safety suggested for members of the Panglao-based Tourist Police to be deployed at the tourist spot.

“Mas maayo na mabutangan g’yud na og pagtuon aron na mabantayan pud na atong mga turista both local and foreign,” said Balite.

While the Loay Interior Road which cuts across the forest is mostly winding, Balite said that the single-lane road has a straight segment where drivers often overtake vehicles in front of them.

“Usually kanang dapita pud mao ra ny chansa sa mga driver nga makapakusog gamay mo-overtake sa mga sakyanan kay medyo mao ra pud nay tul-id tul-id diha. So peligro gyud ng dapita og di gyud na mabantayan nato,” he added.

Balite has proposed for the measure to be tackled at the committee level. (R. Tutas)