CEBU, Philippines - Traffic managers of the various local government units (LGUs) in Metro Cebu admitted that some of their enforcers are corrupt.
This is why the newly appointed chairman of the Metro Cebu Traffic Council challenged local authorities to kick them out of their service.
But one of the reasons why inefficient traffic enforcers remain on the streets is because they were recommended to the position by politicians.
Even former City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem admitted that traffic enforcers hired in Cebu City were recommended by councilors who were given quotas of the recruitment.
In Mandaue City, Assistant City Prosecutor Bienvenido Mabando, who chairs the city’s traffic policy-making body said many of their traffic enforcers are recommended by the city and barangay officials.
But this did not stop him from recommending the termination of the services of those found to be involved in illegal activities.
“Ang akong buhaton nga kon kinsa ang opisyal nga nag-recommend sa traffic enforcer nga taktakon sa serbisyo sila gihapon ang hatagan og higayon nga makarekomendar og hulip sa mga gitaktak,” Mabanto said.
Mabanto admitted that there are traffic enforcers, even in Mandaue City, who are unfit for the job.
According to Mabanto, there were job order employees who were detailed to man the traffic but they are no longer allowed to carry traffic citation tickets because of some adverse reports.
“Nang-reklamo sila kay usahay madugay kuno ang ilang sweldo unya gikuhaan pa sila’g citation tickets,” Mabanto said.
In a traffic conference with business leaders and traffic managers in Metro Cebu last Friday, it was agreed that the newly created Metro Cebu Traffic Council will recommend the use of only the temporary operator’s permit (TOPs) against erring drivers.
Mabanto said the move is aimed at instilling fear to the drivers so they would no longer disregard traffic rules. TOPs carry higher fines than traffic citation tickets.
But Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is not assuring approval of such a move in Cebu City. This is because fines carried by the TOPs will go directly the national government through the Land Transportation Office while fines from citation tickets will go to the LGUs. (FREEMAN)