Cops to help man traffic in Cebu?

CEBU, Philippines - With members of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group manning the traffic along the stretch of EDSA, local authorities are also considering the deployment of policemen to supervise Cebu’s road traffic.

According to Land Transportation Office - 7 director Arnel Tancinco, Police Regional Office - 7 director Prudencio Tom Bañas has told him that they are willing to help address the traffic problem in Cebu.

“Dugay na nag-ingon si General Bañas na ‘director, tulungan natin ang traffic,’” Tancinco said.

Tancinco said they have yet to further discuss the matter since the police are still busy securing the delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

The PNP-HGP has taken over the traffic management along EDSA since Monday.

Tancinco acknowledged the significant role of policemen who have higher efficiency and more training and discipline in managing the traffic.

He said that the PNP is the main agency that has the authority to enforce laws and apprehend those who violate.

According to Tancinco, such authority has been extended to other government agencies such as LTO, Department of Public Works and Highways, and to local government units in performing specific functions.

“Naa na’y delineation of functions. For example, the use of motor vehicles kay under sa LTO, while the use of streets or roads under sa LGUs, and ang maintenance and infrastructure sa dan ay sa DPWH,” he said.

Tancinco remains optimistic that Cebu’s road traffic is still manageable compared to that of Manila, which has reached beyond the optimal level of congestion in terms of road capacity.

“Grabe ang traffic sa Manila. Daghan ang sakyanan kaysa sa dan. Naa pa mahimo sa Cebu,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tancinco said they have already deputized three batches of policemen in Central Visayas which will enforce Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code that covers the control of the registration and operation of motor vehicles.

The first batch comprises HPG-7 members and traffic investigators; the second comprises provincial police personnel in Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor; and the third of traffic policemen in metro Cebu.

The LTO-7 director further said they are already preparing for the training of the fourth batch. Each batch is composed of 30 to 40 policemen. (FREEMAN)