CALAMBA CITY, Laguna- The city’s Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) has intensified its clearing operations against road obstructions in public roads, highways and government right-of-way as part of the strict enforcement of the city’s traffic ordinance.
Jeffrey Rodriguez, officer-in-charge of the city’s POSO, said Friday that they are strictly implementing Executive Order No. 17-26 Series of 2017, signed by Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco on Dec. 8, 2017.
The EO also called for the strict enforcement of required road easements.
Rodriguez, in a media conference, said the creation of a clearing committee was also in response to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Memorandum Circular No. 2017-19 issued on November 2, 2017, which was also aimed at clearing roads of illegal structures.
The committee is chaired by the Mayor, co-chaired by City Administrator Allan Zacarias, and with 10 department heads as members.
“Since the city is so large with 54 barangays (villages), we have to enforce the clearing operations in identified areas and choke points one at a time starting from the busy intersection Crossing area in Barangay Uno,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez, who assumed the post as OIC of POSO in January this year and in concurrent capacity as public affairs office chief, explained that he has integrated the City Traffic Management Division (CTMO) and Public Order and Safety Division enforcers under a single roof for closer collaboration and harmonized operations.
“The operations we are conducting include against illegal parking of jeepneys, tricycles, public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the whole Crossing area, and illegal vendors and ambulant hawkers who put their wares on the (sidewalks) and easements,” he said.
He has been coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Meralco for the relocation of electric posts in Barangays Bucal, Turbina, Real, and Mayapa, including Rizal St. leading to the Rizal Shrine as priority projects because these are identified as public convergence areas.
Records sourced from Christopher Nemes, the administrative officer, revealed that POSO has demolished three illegal structures built by informal settlers in Barangay Paciano Rizal while a total of four illegal structures were removed in Barangay Parian and Barangay Dos (II).
Meanwhile, the strict enforcement of City Ordinance No. 511 series of 2011 adopting the city traffic management code has resulted in the apprehension of some 1,637 erring persons in January; 2,429 in February; and 2,046 until the third week of March this year.
According to Rey Fulgencio, records in-charge, the top apprehensions recorded for traffic violations are on the truck ban, stalled vehicles, illegal parking, obstructions, and loading and unloading in prohibited zones, among others.
Violators are fined PHP 100 upon issuance of Traffic Citation Ticket (TCT), payable to the Treasurer’s Office at the City Hall, except truck ban violators, who are fined PHP 500, according to Fulgencio.
In addition, Rodriguez expressed appreciation about the participation of the community through the social media, especially on their Facebook page, which is swamped with complaints and calling attention for prompt action.
“We received complaints and tips from netizens alerting us for immediate actions,” he said, explaining that “we do not merely react, but to act on them at once.”
“(A)nd issues like traffic congestion in a certain area has been resolved,” Rodriguez added. (Saul Pa-a/PNA)
