More traffic enforcers needed

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) head, Police Col. Luisito Acebuche, said that there is a need for more traffic enforcers in line with the recent order of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to apprehend tricycles and e-bike drivers plying national roads.

Acebuche said BTAO currently has 420 traffic enforcers apart from 15 police officers who were also deputized to help implement DILG order 2020-36.

While the city government has acted on his request for additional traffic enforcers, Acebuche said the ideal number is 500.

Earlier, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered local chief executives to strictly implement the ban on tricycles, pedicabs and motorized pedicabs on national highways for safety reasons and as part of its road clearing operation

Acebuche said that even before the order came out, they had been apprehending tricycle drivers violating existing laws.

He also said that they have released citation tickets to the 15 policemen who have been deputized to apprehend erring tricycle and e-bike drivers in Bacolod City.

The BTAO also impounded several tricycles.

Acebuche also said that Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order No.10 creating the Bacolod  City Trike Task Force in compliance with the DILG order.