Brgys to help enforce traffic laws, collect fines

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City’s traffic group is taking enforcement of traffic laws to another level by partnering with workers in the barangays.

Both the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management  and the Association of Barangay Councils want the barangays here to assist in enforcing traffic laws and in collecting fines and penalties from violators.

One of the concerns raised during a meeting months ago was the problem in collecting traffic fines and penalties because of lack of personnel on the part of CITOM.

“Considering the insufficiency of traffic enforcers, (thus) CITOM is seeking assistance from the barangays and will utilize, deputize barangay officials and tanods,” ABC President Phillip Zafra said.

Zafra said that as the basic political units, the barangay serves as the primary implementing unit of government policies and programs.

“CITOM in partnership with the ABC trained, oriented and deputized Barangay Tanods to help address traffic problems within their respective areas of responsibility,” he said.

Zafra said traffic fines and penalties serve as deterrent or preventive mechanism against traffic violators, thus, the collection aspect is important to make the process work effectively.

“In order for traffic fines and penalties to serve its purpose, the same should be efficiently and consistently collected from concerned traffic violators,” he said.

This task of the barangay will be under the direct supervision of the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO).

Members of the CITOM Board have suggested that barangays that assist CITOM in the collection of traffic fines and penalties will receive a 20 percent commission, which will be used for necessary expenses in carrying out the task.  (FREEMAN)