DPWH personnel undergo training on traffic rules

CEBU, Philippines - Some 60 personnel of Department of Public Works and Highways-7 are made to undergo a seminar on traffic rules and regulations given by the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management.

CITOM operations chief Jonathan Tumulak said he is thankful for DPWH Regional Director Ador Canlas for helping augment CITOM's work force in implementing the city's traffic code.

Tumulak said Canlas has asked him to hold the seminar after DPWH lost its accreditation with LTO-7 in deputizing its personnel for LTO operations. 

"So, nakahibawo man pod ang DPWH nga naa tay existing city ordinances sa traffic laws sa syudad, nisulod sila sa CITOM para makatabang kay kanang mga obstruction sa dalan, ang illegal parking, kay apil pod na sa ilang concern and mandate," Tumulak said.

Those who participated in the seminar included the division head, section head, field inspector and field engineers.

Tumulak said these personnel can perform their duties as DPWH employees and traffic enforcers at the same time.

"Mutabang sila og dakop aning mga illegal parking along the national highway, obstruction sa sidewalk sa national highway, pero pwede sila makapanakop bisan og sa city streets kay ang ilang deputization kay sa tibuok Cebu City district man," he said.

"Tanang function sa atong CITOM enforcers maoy buhaton sa deputized personnel. Mu-man sila sa traffic pero ang dili nila mahimo as deputized personnel is ang pag-himo og sketch kon dunay bangga," he added.

On Friday, the DPWH personnel will man the busy intersections in the city as part of the on-the-job training.

Meanwhile, the Professionals for Active Citizenship and Transformation (PACT) has asked Tumulak to promote its #GiveWayTaBai advocacy to promote road discipline, responsible driving, and respect for the junction box, among others.

PACT is composed of Facebook users who want to contribute to create positive change in the community, particularly in the traffic situation in the city.

PACT's Cerwin Eviota asked Tumulak for contacts of the operators of public utility vehichles, mini-bus, bus, and taxi so that they could connect with them to promulgate its advocacy which is to propagate road courtesy and the concept of giving way when in streets.

That way, Eviota said, everyone will be educated about traffic rules and regulations.

Tumulak, for his part, said he is thankful for the group's concern for the road.

"Ako pod gi-awhag ang uban nga sectors nga magpakabana pod kay ang traffic man gud, problema na sa tanan, dili lang sa CITOM," he said.

The group relayed to Tumulak the bad experiences its members have reportedly encountered while on the road. They asked if CITOM can act on violations captured on camera by ordinary citizens to which Tumulak said the same needs to be covered by an ordinance. He assured, nevertheless, to channel the concerns to the CITOM Board.

Tumulak shared that there is an increase in the number of vehicles in a month, saying that only 230 traffic enforcers are manning 78 intersections in the city.

He reported that there is an average of 20,000 accidents in the city in a month and asked that the public cooperate and be more responsible motorists. — (FREEMAN)