‘CITOM’ staff don new uniforms

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu City Transportation Office (formerly Cebu City Traffic Operations Management) has begun implementing the use of its new uniform designed for enforcers’ “enhanced visibility” while on field assignment.

“Wearing of the new uniform is initiated by the traffic enforcers and parking aides. The office personnel will then follow on using the new uniform since their new set is still to be completed,” said CCTO Operations Manager Jonathan Tumulak.

He admitted that the new uniform drew mixed reactions during its first day of use yesterday.

He told reporters that the use of the new uniform, whose neon green color is a departure from the blue motorists have been used to, is in compliance with Mayor Michael Rama’s directive that all CCTO personnel were required to wear the same uniform design since all personnel belong to one department.

“All divisions will have to wear the same color and design of the new uniform. The difference is only seen on the uniform template that corresponds to the personnel’s different functions,” he said in Cebuano.

There are over 500 CCTO employees in the city, including 300 parking aides and 180 traffic enforcers.

Tumulak said Rama was also one of those who suggested the design of the new uniform, which no longer required traffic enforcers to use reflectorized vests since its garment already includes it as a feature.

“His (Rama) purpose or intention is to make the personnel visible…even during nighttime,” said Tumulak.

He said that aside from getting a new set of uniform, all CCTO employees also underwent a refresher traffic orientation.

“At any time, if they are wearing the uniform and it happened that they are in a traffic-congested area, they are obliged to step down from their vehicle or position themselves on the road to man traffic,” Tumulak said.  (FREEMAN)