TRAFFIC enforcers in Cebu City could face sanctions if they are caught not managing traffic in their areas of responsibility (AOR).
Paul Gotiong, deputy head for operations and spokesperson of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), made the statement after a viral video posted in SunStar Cebu’s Facebook page showing a junction of Colon Street on Friday evening, January 7, 2022, that was found to be unmanned by a traffic enforcer while the traffic lights were not functioning due to a lack of a stable power supply attributed to Typhoon Odette.
With no enforcer at the junction, pedestrians were forced to compete with rushing motor vehicles while crossing the street.
Gotiong said they plan to issue show cause orders to traffic enforcers that are caught not in their AORs especially that majority of their traffic lights are not yet functioning after the typhoon and during activities related to this year’s Fiesta Señor.
He said they have around 200 field traffic personnel each in the morning and in the afternoon who are tasked to man the streets, particularly at junctions.
As of Friday, January 7, Gotiong said only 36 out of 64 intersections where traffic lights have been reenergized, or almost half of the total number have yet to be restored.
Gotiong also shared that they are slowly doing realignment in other traffic lights that were damaged by the onslaught of the typhoon.
“The traffic enforcers who are assigned in their respective AOR especially intersections, whether signalized or non-signalized, should be present kay right now dili pa na siya ma-program og tarong kay walay communication,” he said.
Gotiong noted that traffic enforcers are allowed to take a break whether to take their meals or such but they should be present if their AOR is experiencing heavy traffic or during peak hours.
He further said that once they left their AOR, they should inform either their supervisor or CCTO’s communication section. “But most of the bigger intersections, duha gyud na sila kabuok. It should not be a reason for them not to be there,” he added.
He stressed that enforcers usually have to end their shifts at 9 p.m. from 1 p.m. although others end as early as 7 p.m since they are assigned to work earlier than 1 p.m.
Gotiong, however, clarified that they have at least 30 personnel who will be patrolling at night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the following day to respond to road accidents.