ILOILO City – Follow traffic rules and regulations. This is the appeal of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to drivers here and in Iloilo province.
From January to September 2019 over a hundred vehicles (including motorcycles) have been issued with notices of violation by the HPG’s Provincial Highway Patrol Team – Iloilo.
All must follow Republic Act (RA) 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, stressed Police Executive Master Sergeant Pedro Pericon, officer in charge of the Provincial Highway Patrol Team – Iloilo.
RA 4136 is the law on traffic violations, traffic management and traffic enforcement. It also gives mandate to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to “get rid of all illegal parkings and traffic obstructions along the highways.”
Pericon said the Provincial Highway Patrol Team – Iloilo goes around and checks roads and the traffic situation in Iloilo city and province.
Yes, he said, there are indeed “pasaway” drivers. Their most common violation is illegal parking on public roads.
Those apprehended are issued with notices of violation and are fined with the following:
* first offense – P1,000
* second offense – P2,000 (driver is also required to undergo a traffic seminar)
* third offense – P3,000 and revocation of driver’s license
Pericon said they get the details of the violating vehicles and drivers and forward the information to the LTO where the drivers must settle the penalties.
The vehicles are not impounded, he clarified.
Pericon also said the Provincial Highway Patrol Team – Iloilo enforces traffic rules and regulations fairly. They apprehend even fellow police officers for traffic violations, he revealed.
“Patas ang amon pag-implement sang batas. Bisan tropa ka man, basta naka-violate ka, salabton mo na ‘ya,” he stressed.
Pericon observed that what’s mostly lacking among drivers is awareness on the proper use of public roads.
“Indi man tanan pero may mga drivers kulang gid ‘ya sang education with regards sa paggamit sang karsada. Like may ma-overtake sa solid line which is indi puede. Pag-abot sa city may ‘Slowdown’ sign pero sige or wala sila naga-respond. May ‘No Parking’ sign pero naga-park gid,” lamented Pericon.
The Highway Patrol Group is mandated to also help implement local traffic ordinances, enforce the law related to carnapping, highway robbery, Presidential Decree (PD) 1612 or anti-fencing law, PD 96 or illegal attachment of vehicles, and other crimes involving the use of motor vehicles on highways.
The latest mandate of the Highway Patrol Group from the national police headquarters is to help local government units clear roads of obstructions as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte./PN
