TACLOBAN CITY – The Traffic Operation Management Enforcement Control Office(Tomeco) will work with village officials in the implementation of traffic management initiatives in Tacloban, with a focus on addressing issues such as jaywalking.
Isabelo “Jobs” Lagutan, director of Tomeco’s information and education service center, disclosed that starting this March, Tomeco will extensively enforce the city’s traffic laws, particularly targeting instances of jaywalking.
Lagutan stated that they have already conducted training sessions for village officials, including tanod members from 30 barangays, in preparation for the full implementation next month.
As part of Tomeco’s efforts, barangay officials and tanod members will be deputized to enforce traffic laws within their respective areas.
“Once they are deputized, they can enforce all traffic laws and regulations, similar to TOMECO personnel,” Lagutan said.
To clearly identify them as authorized personnel, Tomeco will issue identification cards to barangay officials and tanod members.
This measure aims to inform pedestrians that these individuals are authorized by Tomeco to enforce traffic laws, including apprehending and issuing citation tickets to violators, particularly those who violate the anti-jaywalking ordinance.
According to City Ordinance No. 2002-8-57, violators of the anti-jaywalking ordinance will face penalties: P200 for the first offense, P300 for the second offense, and P500 and/or imprisonment for not less than five days but not more than 10 days for the third offense.
Lagutan clarified that individuals issued with citations have the right to file an appeal with the Tomeco office.
An investigation will be conducted through adjudication to determine if a violation occurred and if the issuance of the citation ticket was justified. If no offense is found, the fine will be waived, and appropriate action will be taken against the personnel who issued the citation ticket. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
