(PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA -- The Philippine National Police- Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will deploy some 300 personnel in Metro Manila and other nearby regions to support the operation of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) against illegally-franchised or “colorum” public utility vehicles (PUVs) and illegally parked vehicles.
This, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a commitment with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to designate the PNP-HPG as its enforcement arm on Monday.
The commitment, which was signed by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, authorizes the PNP-HPG to enforce traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila and surrounding regions in support of the operations of I-ACT.
“I am pleased to announce the signing of Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation, MMDA, Metro Manila Council, LTO, LTFRB and Coast Guard to further strengthen the enforcement capabilities of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic or I-ACT, through the support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government,” said PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, in his address during the signing ceremony held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
The PNP-HPG personnel will be deployed to the National Capital Region and Regional Units that will provide logistical mobility support to the enforcement operations of I-ACT.
The HPG will coordinate with the DOTr and its attached agencies, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), in ensuring the effective implementation of the agreement.
It will likewise provide 24 mobile cars and 82 motorcycle units, while personnel - as well as all mobile cars and motorcycle units of I-ACT's member agencies namely the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and its secretariat - will likewise be deployed.
PNP-HPG chief, Brig. Gen. Roberto Fajardo, warned that it will clear major thoroughfares of illegally parked vehicles in coordination with I-ACT and issue citation tickets to motorists for illegal parking.
"Ito kasi ang problema, this needs the help of the LGUs (local government units). Kasi kapag nag-operate kami with i-ACT pag-alis namin nandiyan yung barangay captain bumabalik kasi pinagkakakitaan ng LGUs (local government units). (The problem is, this needs the help of the LGUs. Because after we have conducted our operations with I-ACT there is the barangay captain they only come back because the LGUs are profiting from these)," said Fajardo in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the event.
"Now it's time to put a stop and we will do it together with your help. Pagtulungan natin, we need the report, we need your help," he added.
Meanwhile, Tugade said utilizing the resources of the PNP-HPG in traffic enforcement will help instill discipline on the roads.
"The President said: Give us a comfortable life. We are here today to serve the Filipino and ensure that they will have a comfortable life. And we will inculcate that comfortable life through enforcement and discipline on the road, and through proper compliance of the law," according to Tugade.
The DOTr will designate an I-ACT Task Force Chief who will be responsible for the deployment of PNP-HPG personnel and logistical support in their respective posts.
An Inter-Agency Technical Working Group shall be established within 30 days upon the effectivity of the Commitment to draft the implementing guidelines.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it will deploy 25 personnel to support the enforcement operations of I-ACT upon the directive of Tugade.
The PCG personnel graduated from their LTO training in preparation for their field assignment just this month while another batch of PCG personnel is set to undergo training within the next few weeks.
The I-ACT has apprehended more than 846 illegally operating PUVs and issued citation tickets to more than 8,346 motorists for various traffic violations last year. (With reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
