School for traffic enforcers to open in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Metro Cebu Traffic Enforcers Academy (MCTEA) is set to become functional by February next year, a project that would require new traffic enforcers to undergo training with TESDA and CCTO (Cebu City Traffic Operations).

 This after the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) approved the academy's creation during its third quarter meeting yesterday.

 The project was set aside during the MCDCB 2nd quarter meeting last June owing to several concerns, including budgetary and operational considerations.

 Engineer Lynn Gloria Madrona, vice chairperson of the Board's sub-committee on transport and traffic management, said the academy will help professionalize Cebu's traffic enforcers.

 "We all know that the most traffic enforcers in Metro Cebu are Job Order personnel and do not enjoy the full benefits as required by law. So we are trying to professionalize them so that the local government unit concerned may be able to allocate some budget for them to be promoted to a casual or regular position," she said.

 She said the project is also in relation to the synchronization of traffic enforcement in Cebu. 

The trainings will focus on three aspects: how to control and direct traffic, how to respond to incidents on the road, and how to enforce traffic laws.

 "The academy will provide for the enforcers' complete skills and trainings as well," Madrona said.

 Madrona said the first batch, composed of 25-30 participants, is expected to start February next year.

 She said they have to finalize the requirements and qualifications to avail of the training.

 "Not yet finalized. We haven't talked about it… preliminary pa lang discussions but we have to finalize it with the members of the committee," she said.

 The validation process will start today.

 She said they have already complied with the competency standard, as required by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

 Mandaue Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing has said it is vital to have a standardized and professionalized training for traffic enforcers, considering that traffic management is one of the biggest challenges of Metro Cebu.

"We want to make sure that as we move forward, our efforts on traffic regulations and enforcements are well-coordinated. People don't see boundaries anymore whether it's Mandaue, Cebu City, or Lapu-Lapu. Everybody considers it as one Cebu in terms of traffic problems," he said.

 Mandaue City is notorious for its traffic jams for years, worsened by road repairs and changes in the traffic scheme.

"We want to make sure enforcers in Metro Cebu-wide are able to meet the same level of skill. We will continue to professionalize our traffic enforcement services," he said.

 During the meeting yesterday, he asked the Land Transportation Office to give extra enforcement power to graduates of the academy.

 "Importante naa ta'y TOP or Temporary Operator's Permit from LTO, which allows our traffic enforcers to fine erring drivers based on the national laws and will also grant enforcers power to confiscate licenses in cases of violations," he said. (FREEMAN)