Traffic cops with teeth now?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

One of the benefits we gained from the arrival in Bacolod City of the top officials of the Department of Transportation and Communication was what was reported to be their favorable response to the request of the city for the return of the authority of our police, especially those assigned to traffic, to apprehend and issue the once unpopular TOP, or Temporary Operators Permits, to erring motorists.

For a long time now, both motorists and pedestrians, as well as the ordinary commuters have been bewailing what they berated as the inability of our policemen and traffic enforcers to set up any semblance of order in our streets. They slam the perceived helplessness of the lawmen to do something about jeepney and taxi drivers who stop to pick up or unload passengers anywhere, even in the middle of the street, trisikads ambling along main streets and tricycles overtaking other vehicles with impunity, all kinds of drivers running through red lights, entering one-way streets, or violating No-Left-Turn signs, and so many other rules of the road that call for the attention of traffic enforcers.

What many do not know, or have not been aware of, is the fact that the DOTC had removed from the police the authority to apprehend such violators for which they used to issue what is known as the TOP. Because of the experience in Manila and other cities with mulcting policemen, particularly traffic officers, the authority to issue the TOPs had been relegated to agents of the Land Transportation Office that, in this area, does not have sufficient personnel to fully do the job.

There is still the danger, of course, that some of our cops and enforcers may be tempted to also mulct once they have this authority. But, as concerned citizens, let us not allow this to happen, and be vigilant and fearless in reporting such happenings, if not to their officials, to the media, so they can be exposed. We are sure the Bantay Banwa will be very effective in this, but let us not leave it all to them. When the cops start exercising this new authority, let us take the BB cue and Stop Complaining, Do Something!*