CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three special action teams (SAT) of the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) have been created primarily tasked to clear streets from obstructions that could cause traffic snarls during Christmas rush. Lawyer Jose Edgardo Uy, overseer of RTA, disclosed this on Wednesday, November 27, in a “Meet the Press” forum at the SM Downtown Premier mall, even as he warned those who ignore traffic laws they mean business this time.
MindanaoToday.com | RTA flexes nerves to ease Christmas rush
By: Uriel Quilinguing
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Three special action teams (SAT) of the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) have been created primarily tasked to clear streets from obstructions that could cause traffic snarls during Christmas rush.
Lawyer Jose Edgardo Uy, overseer of RTA, disclosed this on Wednesday, November 27, in a “Meet the Press” forum at the SM Downtown Premier mall, even as he warned those who ignore traffic laws they mean business this time.
Uy said RTA law enforcers who turn a blind eye on road violations and neglect traffic gridlocks would be called to explain and face sanctions, urging the public to take photographs and post these with comments on RTA official Facebook.
These, he said, include vehicles on areas with “No Parking” signs, parking on pedestrian lanes, double-parking, parking on both sides of the street, non-observance of loading and unloading zones, store displays on sidewalks and roadsides, including ambulant vendors.
He said goods, particularly consumer items, confiscated during road-clearing operations involving ambulant vendors are not kept by the RTA, instead these are to be turned over to the City Social Welfare and Development office.
Vehicle owners found to have traffic law infractions may have to pay fines and/or face appropriate charges before the offices of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation, City Legal, or in a judicial court.
SLOW-MOVING
In the last three weeks, the RTA had responded to six vehicular accidents that either temporarily blocked the movement of motorists or resulted to one-way traffic scheme until the road could be cleared from obstructions.
Uy said that although RTA personnel may be present to man the flow of traffic, yet the investigation of the incidents need a traffic police officer. Ongoing road constructions and repairs as well as drainage works eat up sizeable portions of passageways, thus vehicular traffic jams occur, he said.
The RTA has identified 17 areas that are prone to “slow moving traffic” due to high volume of motor vehicles during “peak hours,” usually from 5 pm to 7 pm, every day. Traffic advisories are regularly posted on the Facebook wall of the RTA.
Uy said they are monitoring real-time social media posts, including those from bashers, so that they could respond on complaints on road traffic.
The RTA overseer said Memorandum Circular No. 2024-53 of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed village officials for “Nationwide Implementation of the Barangay Road Clearing Operation” to ensure safety for motorists and pedestrians.
Uy said all barangay officials are tasked to ensure unhampered flow of vehicular traffic in their respective jurisdictions, aside from RTA law enforcers. Of the RTA’s 453 personnel, 271 of these are dispersed on rotations all over the city.
RTA CREATION
Under City Ordinance No. 8019-2002 that created the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA), law enforcement is the 7th of its functions and responsibilities to “maintain the flow of vehicular traffic and enforce the traffic rules and regulations.”
Its 11th and last function, as enumerated in the Ordinance, is to “manage and control the use of public roads and pathways, and the clearing of obstructions of any form to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
The RTA is also mandated to develop and provide public parking spaces, aside from undertaking environmental protection activities such as anti-smoke belching and even in minimizing noise pollution. It can also propose traffic revenue measures.
The conduct of traffic education program and the dissemination of information on traffic updates, including rerouting, are also listed as RTA’s responsibilities. Maintenance and operation of traffic signals and the provision of traffic signs and pavement markings are in RTA’s marching orders.
These, aside from the continuing conduct of surveys and statistics gathering, feasibility studies and engineering designs which the RTA should undertake, as provided for under the same ordinance. (Uriel Quilinguing/MT)
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