Council pushes for standard uniform for traffic personnel

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council is considering the establishing an ordinance to standardize the uniforms of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) following observations that the uniforms change whenever a new administration takes office.

This proposal stemmed from the privilege speech of Councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover during the regular session last Wednesday, in which he expressed his confusion in identifying the traffic enforcers in Cebu City, the personnel deployed under the CCTO. He assessed that this confusion may be due to the lack of standardized uniforms among the traffic personnel.

In the same session, the council approved to request the CCTO to adopt a standardized uniform for all its personnel in accordance with their functions and roles.

“Usahay magtuo ka nga mga taga PROBE (Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement) ni sila, ang uban natong mga CCTO personnel kay parehas sila og unirporme, usahay nag technicolor pa, usahay naa pay RMA,” said Alcover.

Under the administration of then Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, the CCTO was renamed the Road Management Authority (RMA), which, according to Alcover, creates confusion regarding the differences in their uniforms.

Currently, Alcover said the CCTO personnel wear a variety of uniforms, with some in red, green, and gray, while others are even wearing vests. He added that such variations raise concerns on their professionalism.

“Uniform represents the office where government employees belong, it also serves as identification that the said personnel are persons in charge to implement the city ordinances or roles,” said Alcover.

He highlighted that traffic personnel are at the forefront of ensuring smooth and orderly traffic flow in Cebu City, emphasizing the need for a standardized uniform that aligns with their functions.

Furthermore, Alcover revealed that he had also heard a rumor about a business providing uniforms operating inside Cebu City Hall.

“So kinahanglan g’yud tingali nga naay mo-represent ka as traffic enforcer, ka respetohan ka, kay kung imong uniporme way klaro how can you get the respect sa atoang mga constituents,” said Alcover.

During the discussion, Councilor James Anthony Cuenco, chairman of the Committee on Transportation, said that the lack of uniformity may have been due to several retrenchments and reshufflings within the CCTO over the past months and years.

He added that the budget earmarked for the CCTO was not released this year. The CCTO has new traffic enforcers, but some others were retrenched. Cuenco explained that new traffic enforcers cannot be given appropriate uniforms due to the lack of budget.

Cuenco further stated that in the 2025 proposed budget of ?17 billion, an allocation for these uniforms is included, which he hopes will be purchased in the first quarter of next year. He also urged the CCTO to make this a priority.

Majority floor leader Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera also noted that this is not only a problem for the CCTO but also for other offices of the Cebu City Government.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)