MISAMIS Oriental board member president Elipe on Monday, March 18, lodged a proposal for the creation of an authority that would help regulate and facilitate the implementation of traffic rules and regulations in all towns in the province.
The proposed name of the body is Provincial Act on Traffic Safety and Development Authority (Patsada) which will be headed by Governor Yevgeny Emano and composed of representatives from concerned agencies, municipal chief executives, among other stakeholders.
Elipe said Patsada will look into the different issues on traffic, safety and development and have them swiftly addressed.
“What we are trying to offer to all municipalities nga mahiusahan ug mapareha (to streamline and unify our) ang regulations kay basin makatabang pud ang province sa implementation (because the province might be able to help in the implementation),” he said.
Elipe explained that Patsada will also serve as umbrella body that would act to the different traffic concerns.
However, he clarified that the body does not have the executive power to implement traffic laws.
“Ang Patsada maoy mag-umbrella sa ilang tanan so it is merely to consolidate all problems and come up with proper solutions and recommend it to the different agencies like LGU (local government units), DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), LTFRB (Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board), LTO (Land Transportation Office) etc.,” Elipe said.
Elipe said this body will also address problems on streetlights, traffic signage, among others.
“We'd like to intervene in coming up a universal implementation of traffic code and help setting up signages (sic) to include installing of street lights in the highways. The governor is also amenable on this,” he said.
The proposal is now referred to the joint committees on energy, infrastructure, public works and public utilities, public safety and police to be headed by the committee on rules, laws, ordinances and legal matters.