GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 24 Oct) – The city government is set to adopt the “no touch/no contact policy” in the enforcement of traffic-related regulations and the clearing of roads of various obstructions.
Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Thursday the move is aimed to enhance the implementation of the newly-launched “Oplan Linis at Ligtas na Kalsada,” which focuses on the strict enforcement of Ordinance No. 37 or the city’s Traffic Code and Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code.
He said they are currently working with the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-Region 12 for the setting of necessary arrangements to facilitate its rollout before the end of the year.
City Administrator Arnel Zapatos held initial talks last Monday with LTO-12 director Macario Gonzaga regarding the “no touch/no contact policy” and its implementing procedure.
Rivera said the city government will be signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LTO-12 to allow city police personnel and traffic enforcers to take pictures of the violators instead of issuing actual citation tickets.
“Fines and penalties will later be collected during the renewal of the vehicles’ licenses,” he said in a statement.
The mayor said the police and traffic enforcers will undergo training and simulation activities to ensure its proper implementation of the measure.
Rivera said he will later issue an executive order prior to formally set off the rollout of the “no touch/no contact” policy.
The city government launched “Oplan Linis at Ligtas na Kalsada” last Oct. 15 in coordination with the city police and LTO.
The initiative complements with the city government’s road clearing program, which is in compliance with an earlier directive from President Rodrigo Duterte.
Among the major traffic regulations being implemented are the prohibition on motorcycles and tricycles in inner lanes of highways and major roads as well as the entry into the city of unregistered tricycles from the neighboring localities. (MindaNews)