‘BASTA ILONGGO, DISIPLINADO’: Iloilo City eyes to become a model of traffic discipline

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Iloilo City wants to become a model of traffic discipline following the launching of the city’s first “Traffic Discipline Zone” (TDZ) in the 14-kilometer stretch of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue or Diversion road in Mandurriao district on Thursday.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said the implementation of the discipline zone is timely as traffic congestion in certain areas in the city has become “unmanageable”.

“Traffic has already evolved not only in Metro Manila but cities here in Visayas. We don’t want that to happen especially nga makita naman naton nga ang traffic diri sa siyudad naga-amat na unmanageable, nagahugot na sa iban nga lugar,” Treñas said in an interview.

The mayor said the TDZ will also help discipline Ilonggos to strictly follow traffic rules and regulations and serve as models to the tourists and guests.

“We have to show them that here in Iloilo, pagsulod mo gid sa boundary sang siyudad we follow traffic rules and regulation. Importante ini because those laws and ordinances have been with us for ages already and we have to remind again all our constituents,” he added.

The city government designated Diversion Road as the city’s first “Traffic Discipline Zone” where local ordinances and national road laws will be strictly implemented.

Personnel from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 6 and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will patrol the area while Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) personnel will be stationed to monitor the area.

According to the mayor, enforcement of violators will start three days after the launching of the traffic discipline zone.

Information dissemination among drivers and pedestrians will be observed in the first three days, he added.

“Subong ang adlaw for the next three days, ipabal-on lang anay ang ulubrahon and after three days that is sufficient time then we go on full-swing,” he said.

PSTMO head Jeck Conlu said the personnel will monitor the area from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

During the launching, LTO presented six breath analyzers and one high-tech speed gun and PSTMO presented five speed guns to help enforce laws on speed limit and other road and traffic regulations.

Meanwhile, Col. Winston de Belen, chief of the PNP-HPG reminded the traffic enforcers to observe proper decorum and courtesy especially in apprehending violations.

“Remember lang na yung ina-apprehend niyo, sila rin yung pinagsisilbihan natin, public servant po tayo. Be courteous po kapag hinuhuli namin. Sabi nga serve with a smile, kahit na nagagalit sila sa atin, ngiti pa rin tayo kasi sila pinagsisilbihan natin,” he said.

After Diversion road, the mayor announced said that they are planning to implement the Traffic Discipline Zone in McArthur Drive in Jaro district.