TTMO Seeks Deputation of Iloilo Township Traffic Marshals

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) is seeking the deputation of traffic marshals in Iloilo City’s townships to address the rising number of vehicular accidents.

The move aims to expand the enforcement of city traffic ordinances in privately developed business hubs, particularly within Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao district.

“This is welcome because there are traffic accidents that occur in the area,” TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos said.

He noted that some roads inside the townships are part of the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan, making traffic regulation in these areas necessary.

Garbanzos said the proposal stemmed from a request by Megaworld and was coordinated with the Office of the City Mayor.

The TTMO is currently drafting a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to formalize the deputation process.

The proposal was initially presented during Wednesday’s regular session of the 11th Iloilo City Council but was deferred for further review.

If approved, the TTMO will be tasked with training township traffic marshals and issuing traffic citation tickets.

These marshals will be authorized to apprehend violators of city traffic ordinances within township areas.

The city government will oversee their operations and address any complaints or violations.

Garbanzos clarified that any penalties or fines from traffic violations will be remitted to the city government.

To prevent abuse of authority, all reports or complaints involving deputized marshals will be referred to the township management, and sanctions will be based on their internal rules.

“If there are any sanctions, it is within their rules,” Garbanzos said.

“They can terminate or give a second chance to the marshal.”

He added that if township management opts to dismiss a marshal, the city will recall their deputation credentials and traffic citation tickets as a safeguard.