ILOILO City – The retraining of 300 traffic enforcers here which started Oct. 7 will be sustained.
It will be conducted every Friday “until nga daw satisfied kita,” according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
The retraining is part of recently established Traffic Academy in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Visayas and other concerned government agencies like the Land Transportation Office and the City Legal Office.
“Para nga maayo sila magtratar sang mga motorists, mabal-an nila kon ano ang mga derecho kag ang mga ordinansa nga dapat ipatuman nila,” said Treñas.
The city government also plans to seek the help of the Metro Manila Development Authority.
Regarding the deputation of traffic aides by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Treñas said the League of Cities is working on it with LTO and Department of Interior and Local Government.”
“There is no reason why they should not (be deputized by LTO). I know some people who are… some of them are even civilians,” said Treñas.
Interior secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. earlier issued a memorandum stating that only LTO personnel are authorized to confiscate the licenses of erring drivers.
Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 338 allows traffic aides to confiscate driver’s licenses.
When asked if there is a need for the city government to amend its ordinance to conform with the LTO law, Treñas firmly disagreed.
“If you talk to me about legality I can explain to you why the ordinance is legal. Ang ginabasehan nila ang 1962 nga LTO law. Sang san-o naaprubahan ang Local Government Code? In1992. On the basis of the Local Government Code, we have approved an ordinance nga gina-authorize ang mga traffic aides nga makakuha sang lisensya,” said the city mayor, a lawyer./PN
