Bacolod urges maximum tolerance in road clearing

BACOLOD CITY – Personnel from the City Legal Office Enforcement Team and the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department were reminded to exercise maximum tolerance as the city government intensifies road-clearing operations.

The two offices held a briefing Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, after a video circulated online showing a city enforcement team member in a verbal altercation with a vendor at the Libertad Public Market.

BTTMD Officer-in-Charge Atty. Reuben Mikhail Sabig reiterated a directive from City Legal Officer Atty. Karol Joseph Chiu during the briefing.

Sabig, who also supervises the CLO Enforcement Team, said personnel must remain professional and respectful while performing their duties and stay within the bounds of their authority.

“As much as possible, we must have control. While we remain firm in our obligation, we must not go beyond our job,” Sabig said.

He said enforcement personnel must remain calm and exercise sound judgment, particularly when dealing with vendors, motorists and other members of the public.

CLO Enforcement Team lawyer Bartolome Malde Jr. acknowledged that emotions could escalate during tense situations but reminded personnel to exercise restraint.

“We do understand that sometimes it’s spur of the moment, but let us be careful and mindful of our words and actions. As much as possible, exercise maximum tolerance,” Malde said.

During a road-clearing operation in Barangay Sum-ag on Aug. 27, BTTMD personnel confiscated 14 driver’s licenses.

They also impounded 15 colorum tricycles, five e-bikes and two motorcycles.

The operation targeted illegal parking along sidewalks, which contributes to traffic congestion.

Personnel also focused on unregistered or colorum public utility vehicles, particularly those operating along the Sum-ag–Dulao, Bago City route, as well as unauthorized e-bikes.

The cited violations included operating without valid permits or franchises, driving without a license and operating unregistered vehicles.

Meanwhile, the CLO Enforcement Team conducted follow-up clearing operations at the Barangay Tangub Public Market to maintain public order and keep sidewalks accessible to pedestrians.

Enforcement personnel instructed vendors to remove tables and chairs obstructing the sidewalks.

The team also detached improvised roof-trim extensions.

Personnel dismantled an illegal structure located between the market and an adjacent school.

The Bacolod City government said clearing and enforcement operations would continue to promote road safety, public order and pedestrian accessibility.

It also emphasized that personnel must uphold professionalism, respect and maximum tolerance while enforcing existing laws and regulations.

The city said the continuing operations were intended to uphold the rule of law and ensure public safety on roads and sidewalks.

It added that drivers and vendors would be provided with clear and accessible avenues to comply with regulations and operate legally. (Bacolod City Communications Office)