BACOLOD City – In response to a surge in traffic violations and subsequent disputes, the city government has formed a Traffic Violation Adjudication Committee, announced Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez through Executive Order No. 043 on Monday, August 12.
The creation of the committee aims to tackle the increasing conflicts arising from traffic citations and to address allegations of misconduct by traffic enforcers from the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).
Under City Ordinance No. 338, series of 2003, the committee is empowered to investigate any contests related to traffic citation tickets and complaints against BTAO enforcement personnel.
Chaired by the City Legal Officer, with two members from the BTAO, the committee is mandated to do the following:
* review and resolve complaints lodged by motorists
* conduct hearings on accusations of abuse of authority by traffic enforcers, and
* oversee the management of traffic fines and impounded vehicles.
It will also maintain records of all cases handled and submit periodic reports to the Mayor’s office, ensuring transparency and accountability in traffic enforcement in Bacolod.
Under the executive order, traffic violations must be contested within three days from the time of the ticket issuance or apprehension.
Any disputes filed after this period will not be entertained, rendering the citation final./PN
