ANGELES CITY – "It's not absolute power but greater responsibility."
Thus said Councilor Amos Rivera on Wednesday as he defended his proposed ordinance creating the Angeles City Traffic and Transportation Development Office (ACTIDO).
Rivera said that the ACTIDO will merge the Public Transport and Regulatory Office (PTRO) and the Angeles City Traffic Enforcement and Management Office (ACTEMO). Both offices under ACTIDO will be under "one roof" and headed by one official, added Rivera. Councilor Edgardo "Edu" Pamintuan is the co-sponsor of the proposed ordinance.
Councilor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, member of the minority bloc of the city council, expressed alarm over the proposed ordinance, stressing, "check and balance may disappear" in the creation of the ACTIDO.
"Imagine one office under one official will have the power to regulate and enforce traffic laws and give the necessary permits to public vehicles," said Lazatin.
"My concern is for the general welfare of the public utility drivers and the thousands of drivers and daily commuters in our city," he added.
Rivera said that the creation of the ACTIDO will "streamline" the operations of the traffic offices.
"It's unfair to say that there will be absolute power and check and balance will disappear. The office is yet to function and how can we assume that there will wrongdoings once it's merged?" queried Rivera.
"What matters is the official you put and not the kind of office he or she heads. If the official is good, the office will also be good and function well," he added.
Rivera said that the ACTIDO will be under the office of the mayor and will be governed by the “existing” Angeles City Traffic Board.
Bong Mariano is head of the PTRO and he is also in charge of the ACTEMO.
“The ACCTDO shall perform planning, monitoring and coordinative functions, and in the process, exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over the performance of traffic and transportation undertaking within Angeles City,” said the proposed ordinance.
“The ACTTDO shall render services which include the formulation, coordination, and monitoring of policies, standards, programs and projects to rationalize the existing transport operations, infrastructure requirements, the use of thoroughfares, and promotion of safe and convenient movement of persons and goods; provision for the mass transport system and the institution of a system to regulate road users; administration and implementation of all traffic education programs, including the institution of a single ticketing system in Angeles City,” it added.
Heated debates between the members of the majority bloc and the minority bloc composed of Lazatin and Councilor Max Sangil and Bryan Nepomuceno are expected during the regular city council session next Tuesday, as the proposed ordinance will be up for second reading. (Joey Pavia/Contributor)