Angeles holds transport seminars

ANGELES CITY -- The City Government here has started a series of seminars for jeepney drivers and operators to educate them on the recently approved City Ordinance or the New Traffic Code of Angeles City.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said various city offices will spearhead the seminars for some 14 chapters of the Pangkalahatang Samahan ng mga Drivers sa Angeles City (Pasada) and the Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (Joda).

Pamintuan said the offices include the Public Transportation and Regulatory Office (PTRO), the Angeles City Traffic Enforcement and Management Office (Actemo), the local Philippine National Police (PNP) force, Angeles City Tourism Office (Acto) and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro).

In the first seminar held Thursday at the Essel Park Common Terminal, Pamintuan aired his commitment on improving the traffic situation of the city.

He said the seminars will cover different topics, including traffic management, rules and regulations, and tips on how jeepney and tricycle drivers can become ambassadors of tourism and cleanliness in the city.

“In achieving our goals to become a world class city, I truly believe that our jeepney drivers should instill the value of discipline amongst themselves in order to attract more businesses and capitalize on our tourism capabilities, especially now since the Clark is being developed as part of a twin-airport system,” the mayor said.

Pamintuan also spoke on how drivers should conduct and even groom themselves during their work (commenting that shorts and slippers should not be worn while driving), being knowledgeable of the different heritage sites in the city and advocating cleanliness and environmental concern by simply installing small trash bins within their vehicles.

Vice Mayor Vicky-Vega Cabigting stressed the importance of respect whenever a driver would encounter a situation that gets you stuck in traffic.

“I think that apart from discipline, our drivers should also develop the value of respect so that our streets may become more peaceful and orderly,” said Cabigting.

She said the passage of the new traffic code was seen as a necessary step to be taken by the City Council as the old code of Angeles is no longer applicable with the rise in the volume of motor vehicles.

“For so many years, we have been following the old traffic code, which dates back as far as 1977. But now, under the administration of Mayor Pamintuan, we have successfully enhanced the code and passed this much needed legislation which will provide a solution to the current traffic woes of the city,” Cabigting added.

For his part, Angeles City JODA President Bienvenido Reyes expressed gratitude and support to Pamintuan and the City Government for coming up with the project, which will encourage drivers to participate toward the improvement of the traffic situation of the city.

“We are truly grateful that the city government through Mayor EdPam has agreed to work with the Pasada and the JODA to develop the capabilities and also ethical standards of both public employees such as the PNP and the traffic enforcers and of course, our drivers,” Reyes said.

During the seminar, the city police and Actemo reminded the drivers on the basic traffic rules and regulations of the city.