Traffic enforcers in Metro not enough

The number of traffic officers of the Philippine National Police is not enough to provide the ideal level of police visibility in Metro Manila.

Superintendent Luisito Maralit, chief of the PNP-Traffic Enforcement Group, disclosed that the ratio of traffic policemen to the number of roads in the metropolis is too small.

Maralit said that he needs at least 500 policemen in each district to ensure police visibility on major thoroughfares.

Based on the actual number of policemen deployed, the target set by Maralit is far from being realized.

At the Western District, which covers Manila, the TEG has a little over 280 policemen. For the Central District, which covers Quezon City, Maralit said that he only has 120 men.

The Eastern District, which covers four local government units, has only 90 TEG personnel.

It is only along EDSA where the TEG has ample police support because of the presence of the PNP-Traffic Management Group.

However, Maralit said the TEG can still handle traffic effectively in spite of the lack of personnel.

He also said that there would be 800 new recruits from the National Capital Regional Police Office to augment the existing TEG personnel. – Marvin Sy