A REVAMP at the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) in Bacolod City is expected this week, an official said Thursday, August 25, 2022.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the city council committee on traffic, said he made a proposal to Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to designate a new head at BTAO.
Espino said the head should be a civilian and not a uniformed officer.
“It’s my proposal to Mayor Benitez that I need somebody that I can work with. I’m looking at a personnel who already know their job,” he added.
BTAO was created through City Ordinance 230 Series of 1999, which for Espino should be headed by a civilian in nature.
“We cannot appoint somebody from any other government agency to head BTAO,” he said.
In July 2022, Police Major Junji Liba was assigned as the new head of BTAO.
“We cannot designate him (as administrative officer) because we don’t have jurisdiction over the Philippine National Office,” Espino said.
He said that he will release the name of the new BTAO head soon.
“He is a civilian with a background on how to handle the traffic situation in the city,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Espino said they are also planning to put up additional traffic lights in various areas of the city.