Talisay set to enforce new traffic code

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government is set to implement its new traffic code within the month to address the worsening traffic situation in the city.

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, chairman of the City of Talisay-Traffic Operation Development Authority (CT-TODA), said the new traffic code will improve the traffic situation in the city.

Bucao said the local traffic code of Talisay was already approved by Mayor Socrates Fernandez last year. He said they are just waiting for the printing of the citation tickets to be completed before its implementation.

Under the new traffic code, the city’s traffic enforcers will now be issuing citation tickets to traffic violators. Bucao said the city government will be collecting corresponding fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 depending on the gravity of the violation.

At present, traffic enforcers are using the Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) issued by the Land Transportation Office. Bucao said the city government is not earning from traffic violations in the past because the penalties directly go to the national treasury.

Under the new traffic code, some roads within the city have been designated as one-way. There will also be truck ban in some roads.

The city government is currently conducting massive information drive to inform the public about the new traffic code.

The city and traffic officials are optimistic that strict enforcement of the new traffic code will not only lessen traffic violations but road accidents as well.

Bucao said the city government has already created its own manual to further strengthen the power of the city’s traffic authority.

He said the traffic manual was patterned after the manual of the Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management (Citom). Traffic enforcers have already been briefed of the manual.

The Traffic Code incorporates all traffic management and enforcement activities in the city.

Bucao reminded all motorists to observe traffic laws and rules to avoid being apprehended. (FREEMAN)