Financial aid to tanod traffic enforcers pushed

CEBU, Philippines — An ordinance seeking to provide financial assistance to barangay tanods deputized to assist traffic enforcement at the barangay level to alleviate traffic congestion is now underway.

The City Council started conducting a public hearing last Wednesday on the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor James Anthony Cuenco. The proposed ordinance is entitled “An Ordinance Granting Additional Financial Assistance to all Tanod Traffic Enforcers within the City of Cebu.”

According to Cuenco, the proposal is related to the passage of his other ordinance, which supports the provision to deputize barangay tanods for traffic enforcement in Cebu City.

The proposed ordinance seeks to provide additional financial assistance of up to P2,000 per tanod who has been deputized and recruited by the Cebu City Traffic Enforcement Office (CCTO).

Each barangay in Cebu City has been allotted a maximum of 20 barangay tanods. At least 10 of them will be deputized for traffic enforcement.

Cuenco said that the public hearing was held due to the Penal Provisions crafted in the ordinance, particularly the penalty of revocation of deputation. As stated in the proposed ordinance, a Tanod Traffic Enforcer who exceeds their function as a traffic enforcer, as specified by the CCTO, shall be subject to various administrative sanctions.

The guidelines for Tanod Traffic Enforcers includes a stipulation that those who render fewer than 20 hours of traffic enforcement work per week or fail to meet established performance standards shall be subject to immediate reevaluation by the CCTO.

The CCTO also reserves the right to revoke the authority of any Tanod Traffic Enforcer, with or without cause.

Noel Claros Mayol, Chief Tanod of Barangay Talamban, said that out of their 28 tanods, eight have been deputized but are not receiving financial aid from City Hall, only from the barangay's budget.

Cuenco said that it will be up to the CCTO to determine if a particular barangay tanod qualifies to be deputized. The purpose is to cover areas that CCTO personnel can no longer reach.

As part of the qualifying process, Cuenco said, tanods will need to undergo training and examinations.

However, Mayol clarified that the eight tanods had already undergone training and examinations and were subsequently given citations for performing their traffic enforcement duties.

Councilor Franklyn Ong explained that only tanods from the 20 allowable personnel per barangay can be deputized for traffic enforcement.

He further explained that in the case of Barangay Talamban, which faces significant traffic congestion, more personnel were allocated to manage traffic outside their designated barangay tanods.

To fully qualify for financial aid, Councilor Philip Zafra suggested amending the proposal to eliminate the requirement that only barangay tanods could be deputized and instead implement the designation of “Barangay Traffic Enforcers.”

In this regard, Zafra also emphasized that the 20 allowable barangay tanods were stipulated under the 1991 provisions of the Local Government Code.

“Unya nagkadaghan na ang populasyon sa matag barangay, 20 barangay tanods are not enough to implement the peace and order program of the respective barangays,” said Zafra.

Attorney Charles Pages from the CCTO Legal Office stated that this ordinance will help alleviate traffic congestion in the city, particularly in barangays and intersections without traffic signals.

He then manifested that the CCTO has no objection to the proposed ordinance.

Councilor Francis Esparis, however, said that there was already a system in place where the CCTO had deputized traffic enforcers in the barangays, but it had not been sustained.

Edgar Cabiera, Executive Assistant of Barangay Tisa, also suggested considering insurance for the barangay tanods to ensure their safety while on duty. – /FPL (FREEMAN)