Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has ordered the mass resignation of 690 Manila traffic enforcers following allegations of extortion and other illegal activities against them. The move was welcomed by truckers.
“Today, I am issuing an order for all traffic enforcers of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) to step down and turn in their resignation letters. I want all of them out, with no exceptions,” Estrada announced on November 28.
The Manila chief said he has received “numerous complaints that many MTPB traffic personnel are involved in extortion and other illegal activities.”
“Investigations are ongoing, but I can assure the public that those found criminally and administratively liable will face the full force of the law,” he added.
Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines director Ruperto Bayocot told PortCalls he welcomes the order, confirming there are allegations that MTPB enforcers also extort from truck drivers. He noted receiving reports of how trucks queued on Del Pan bridge going to South Harbor are towed and drivers allegedly made to pay from P500 to P1,000 for their vehicles to be released.
He added this practice is supposedly still happening despite the Truck Appointment Booking System in place because some trucks must still wait in line to get inside the terminal.
While acknowledging that the mass resignation will impact on the livelihood of the traffic enforcers, Estrada said he can’t sacrifice the greater good and the image of the local government for a few corrupt traffic employees.
“We will start with a clean slate,” the mayor said, adding that MTPB will undergo reorganization.
Resigning MTPB officials can still re-apply as long as they meet a new set of stricter qualification standards to be implemented in order to “weed out misfits and those that have derogatory records.”
While the bureau is reorganizing, traffic management in the city will be handled by the Manila Police District (MPD) with help from barangay volunteers and other auxiliary units.
Meanwhile, Estrada announced on the same day the creation of a “traffic super body” in Manila to oversee the strict implementation of traffic rules and come up with doable solutions to help decongest the main thoroughfares.
The traffic super body is to be composed of elements of the MPD Traffic Enforcement Unit, the city government’s Department of Public Services, Manila Tricycle Regulatory Office, Office of the City Engineer, Manila Barangay Bureau, City Treasurer’s Office, Manila City Hall Action and Support Assignment; as well as city councilors, barangay officials, and representatives from local transport groups, Parents-Teachers Associations, and other stakeholders.
MTPB head Dennis Alcoreza said this composite team will go around the city to look for traffic-prone areas, mount traffic management operations, including road clearing, and apprehend traffic violators—both motorists and pedestrians.
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