ILOILO CITY – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas is eyeing “drastic action” to improve the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO). He lamented the “continuing problem” on traffic.
“Maybe there is something wrong with the structure or the management. We have to do something right away,” said Treñas yesterday.
When asked if he plans to separate “transportation management” from PSTMO, Treñas responded, “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. All bets are on the table.”
Among others, he will consult the City Legal Office (CLO) and Human Resource Management Office.
“The PSTMO was created before I came in, during the time of Mayor Jed (Mabilog). I did not have a say how it was created, what were included. We will see what we can do and how soon, and whether by ordinance or executive order,” Treñas added.
He cited a previous Random Access Consultants, Inc. (RACI) survey showing the city’s traffic management lagging in satisfaction rating and “unfortunately, continuous to be the last” compared to other services of the city.
PSTMO is among the biggest departments of the city government; it has about 600 personnel.
Treñas said he is happy with the current interventions, such as the conduct of capability building of the traffic personnel, with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and University of the Philippines-National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS). But the reorientation will take time. Changes may be expected in the next three weeks.
“We need drastic action,” he reiterated.
Treñas, however, clarified that no traffic enforcers will be terminated.
“They have been working also for the city, daw ka sakit man nga dulaan sila tanan obra. Train ta anay sila, tan-awon ta kon sin-o ang mag-ayo. But indi ta man gusto nga islan ta dayon tanan sila kay naka-invest man sila daku sa aton syudad,” said Treñas.
As to the alleged illegal parking in the city’s bike lanes, part of the plan is to place bollards to prevent any person from driving a car along the bike lanes. The budget is already included in the supplemental budget, Treñas added./PN
