THE Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 7 commemorated the special day by giving flowers, balloons and chocolates to motorists plying V. Rama Ave. in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020.
HPG personnel on Friday morning flagged down unknowing motorists in the guise of a checkpoint.
But instead of being asked to present their license and documents, the drivers were surprised to receive flowers, chocolates and balloons from the police officers.
There were some erring motorists, though, who evaded the checkpoint for fear of being issued citation tickets for their traffic violations.
Because he was only wearing a pair of slippers while driving a motorcycle, Boy de Leon, a resident of Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, decided to avoid the checkpoint.
“I did not stop anymore because the fine for wearing slippers while driving is too expensive. I did not want to risk it,” he said in Cebuano.
The activity was spearheaded by Police Captain Michael Gingoyon. He said it was their way of celebrating Valentine’s Day with motorists in Cebu City.
He added that it was a “fresh” break from their daily responsibility, which is to apprehend traffic violators.
“In line with the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we are giving flowers, chocolates and balloons. This is our way of letting motorists know how much the Philippine National Police-HPG cares for them,” Gingoyon said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
But the HPG was not the only police unit that celebrated the red-letter day with the public.
The traffic group of the Cebu City Police Office held a motorcade and also gave flowers to motorists in the city.
On the other hand, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) was clamping vehicles for illegal parking on the city streets early morning Friday.
Alma Fe Casimero, CCTO chief, said they clamped a total of 110 vehicles parked overnight in Barangays Mabolo, Mambaling, Tisa, Punta Princesa and Hipodromo.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, another 19 vehicles were clamped by the traffic office in barangays Hipodromo, Sambag 2 and Guadalupe.
Some 26 motorcycles were also confiscated for illegal parking while 62 motorists were issued citation tickets for violating traffic rules.
Illegal parking on the city streets overnight is a violation of City Ordinance (CO) 2004 that prohibits the parking of vehicles along public roads from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. (PAC, RTF)