CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano vowed to become a role model to his constituents and started it off by voluntarily removing the sirens and blinkers of his vehicles.
This developed, as he emphasized a "no special treatment" policy in the city.
On Monday, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has started cracking down private and government vehicles in the city and seized about a hundred sirens and blinkers.
"I am voluntarily removing the sirens and blinkers of my vehicles to show that I am following the orders of Pres. Noynoy Aquino," Emano said when he was guest at the local ABS-CBN's morning show "Pamahaw Espesyal" Friday.
Emano also promised to minimize his smoking habit in public places to set an example as the "father of the city."
The mayor has earlier been criticized for his smoking habit. He is openly seen puffing even in no smoking areas. When he was still governor of Misamis Oriental, Emano posted a sign that read "Only the Governor Smokes Here" at his office inside the Provincial Capitol.
During the show, Emano said what he is focusing now is the concerns of the people of the city though he asked for an ample time to solve such problems as flooding and traffic congestion as he had just assumed the post for a few days.
On flooding woes, he said this would be his priority considering that the rainy season has already started.
"I would also look after the drainage system in the city by making sure that no garbage would be thrown anywhere to avoid clogging, which is the main cause of flood," Emano said.
However, he said that since this project would require big amount of money, he is asking the public to help in cleaning their surroundings and refrain from throwing their garbage anywhere.
On the city's traffic problem, Emano said they have initially decided to put up closed-circuit television cameras in every traffic light to monitor and identify drivers who are not following traffic rules.
"But it should not only be the drivers who would be disciplined on traffic regulations but also the passengers," he said.
These, among other concerns, are Emano's priority now but he asked the cooperation of the public to help in implementing all these as he claimed he cannot do it alone. (Nicole J. Managbanag)