THE closure of the Tabunok Flyover in Talisay City is giving headaches not only to commuters and motorists but also to local officials.
Samuel Bacaltos, Barangay Tabunok chief, said he is alarmed by the complaints he has been receiving over the lack of action on the part of the City of Talisay Traffic Operations Development Authority (CTTODA) in managing the worsening traffic situation in their village.
Bacaltos said he has been receiving complaints, particularly in social media, since the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) started maintenance works on the Tabunok flyover last week.
One of the complaints that Bacaltos received is that traffic enforcers are often seen not doing their job.
“Sige lang daw sila og palandong (They look for shade to avoid the sun’s heat rather than stay on the road to guide traffic),” Bacaltos said.
Last Sunday, tanods from Tabunok had to act as traffic aides because of the lack of enforcers.
He said CTTODA chief Almond dela Peña has not coordinated with him before the flyover was closed to traffic.
Dela Peña, in a separate interview, admitted he noticed that some enforcers are not doing their job. Around 44 enforcers are assigned in Tabunok to facilitate the traffic there.
He said he plans to discipline traffic enforcers who are caught not doing their job and coordinate with Bacaltos for assistance.
Dela Peña said he also plans to ask the local police to assist them in apprehending erring motorists.