CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday led a 30-man team in helping the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management in its clearing operations.
Land Transportation Office (LTO)-deputized officers from DPWH-7 stationed themselves along the stretch of V. Rama Ave., which spans Barangays Calamba and Guadalupe, and in Katipunan St. in Barangay Labangon from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
A total of 21 Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) and five citation tickets were issued, while three motorcycles, a multicab, and one container van with a trailer were impounded.
CITOM Operations Chief Joy Tumulak said even illegally-parked government vehicles were not spared, as the barangay vehicle of Labangon was among those assessed with a violation.
He said the joint team was equally divided in terms of number, with 15 enforcers from their office and another 15 from DPWH taking part in the operation, which saw the deployment of three CITOM patrol cars, one sweeper Isuzu elf that carried the impounded vehicles, a City Hall Prime Mover vehicle and a towing truck.
DPWH Cebu City Engineering District Head of Maintenance Division Mariano Po led the DPWH team while Tumulak led the Citom team.
Prior to the actual operation, the joint anti-illegal parking and -obstruction operations team conducted a briefing at the DPWH Cebu City Engineering District Office near Pier 3.
“This joint operation is the first time in Cebu City. Mayor Michael Rama forwarded to us a communication from DPWH-7 Regional Director Ador Canlas asking for support from the City Government for this endeavor,†Tumulak said.
The DPWH letter specifically asked CITOM and the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to help in the initial operation against obstructions and illegally parked vehicles.
“With your office’s continuous support to our clearing operation, we are confident that we can free our national roads within your area of jurisdiction from illegal parking and obstructions, and return to the riding public and pedestrians the space taken away from them,†read Canla’s letter to Rama.
Tumulak said an assessment would be made following the operation, which would happen again in other streets of the City. — (FREEMAN)