Wheels in Motion: VM Bebot Rodriguez's Drive for Motorcade, Caravan Regulation

IMAGINE this: you are on your way to work with only thirty minutes left before the clock strikes 8 o’clock. You are confident that you can arrive at your workplace on time. However, just a few kilometers away, you suddenly find yourself stuck in traffic, made worse by the excessive noise disrupting you and other road users. The reason? A motorcade or caravan.

“Motorcades and caravans aren't inherently bad," City Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez explains, "but when they're unregulated, they become a major headache for commuters."

Photo credits: VM Bebot Rodriguez official Facebook page

Indeed, these activities are often organized with good intentions—whether it's championing a cause, showcasing local talent, or rallying support for a significant private, national, or local event. But without proper oversight, what starts as a festive parade can turn into a commuter's nightmare.

The lady vice mayor acknowledges the imperative to institutionalize a solution to this problem, hence her proposal to pass an ordinance regulating motorcades or caravans organized within the jurisdictional boundaries of the city.

To minimize traffic congestion, provisions such as defining designated routes, setting specific time frames, and provision of guidelines for convoy formation are also proposed by VM Bebot.

By establishing clear guidelines and procedures, she seeks to strike a balance between supporting community initiatives and maintaining public order on the streets.

The proposal, crafted in coordination with the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA), received a favorable response from the City Legal Office in January—an impetus toward implementation.

As the wheels of the proposal continue to turn, one thing is clear: the road ahead promises a safer, more orderly streets of Cagayan de Oro.