CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (Ceset) is strictly implementing an ordinance that requires the installation of garbage receptacles in public utility jeepneys.
Joselito Lamoste, president of Special Assistance Volunteer Emergency Rescue and Safety, De Cebu, Inc. (Savers de Cebu), said his group has been deputized by Ceset to assist it in implementing the ordinance.
Lamoste said his men, from time to time, will stop PUJs in the city to find out if they are complying with the requirement.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) assistant regional director Arnel Tancinco had received reports that members of Savers de Cebu, Inc. are apprehending PUJ drivers for traffic violations even if they are not deputized by LTO.
Tancinco were supposed to meet with Lamoste last Tuesday, but the latter failed to come because of conflicting appointments.
Lamoste, however, denied allegations that his men are apprehending traffic violators, although he admitted that his men had flagged down PUJs to find out whether they are complying with the ordinance.
“Wala intawon kami manakop og mga drayber nga nakalapas sa traffic laws uy. Unsaon man namo sa pagdakop nga wala man kami’y Temporary Operators Permit,” Lamoste told The FREEMAN.
Tancinco said only LTO organic personnel and deputized agents are allowed to apprehend drivers caught violating the Transportation and Traffic Code.
“They should be deputized first by the LTO before they can start flagging down motor vehicles. Ang ilang order does not give them any authority to conduct roadside apprehension,” Tancinco explained.
While Lamoste’s group has been tapped by the Department of Transportation and Communication to assist commuters at public terminals from April 18 to 25, it is not allowed to do the function of LTO organic personnel and deputized agents. —(FREEMAN)