I-ACT CRACKDOWN

MOST roads of Dagupan were virtually deserted when an Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (IACT) from Manila arrived in the city in the morning of May 24 to inspect transport units and to check their status in line with the implementation of the   Tanggal Kalawang, Tanggal Usok campaign.

The surprise crackdown in Dagupan led to the apprehension and impounding of four mini-buses, two for-rent vans, and one motorcycle.

Meanwhile, 70 drivers of jeepneys, mini-buses, buses, commuter vans and motorized tricycles were issued citation tickets for various offenses, from being old and unsafe, to dilapidated state and smoke-belching.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a total of 57 temporary operating permits (TOPs) while the LTFRB issued 13 inspection receipts (IRs).

During that day, jeepneys and buses were seen parked on highways near the city boundaries to avoid being flagged down to be inspected by the I-ACT team.

Teofilo Guadiz III, regional director of LTO Region 1 said the operation was an initiative of the LTO and DOTr on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to remove all colorum public utility vehicles as an aftermath of several road accidents in Mindoro involving Dimple Bus, whose units were determined to be unsafe for travel.

All the PUV’s apprehended during the operation in Dagupan were brought to the impounding area of the LTO in Bugallon town.

Guadiz said drivers issued with citation tickets by LTO were also fined P5,000 each and the plates of the vehicles were also confiscated.

“Mere payment of fines will not cause the release of the units,” said Guadiz. “The units will have to be fully checked for their safety worthiness on the road including their smoke emission”, he added.

Alona Garcia, communications officer of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) told newsmen the crackdown is in connection with Oplan Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok DOTr and “Oplan Kamao” of I-ACT whose members include LTFRB and the LTO.

Other agencies involved were the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

I-ACT’s operations were conducted along A, B. Fernandez Avenue, Amado-Tapuac and in front of the Home Ideas Supermart along the Dagupan-Urdandeta road, said Garcia.

As most public utility vehicles kept off the road and many commuters were left stranded waiting for their usual rides, Mayor Belen Fernandez mobilized vehicles of the city government to offer free-ride or ‘libreng sakay“.

The local government was not informed beforehand about the operations.

From 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, there was hardly any public utility vehicle traveling along Dagupan roads to the consternation of the riding public.

The situation returned to normal only at 2:00 p.m. when members of the I-ACT team pulled out from the roads.

The team stayed in Dagupan for another day on Friday to conduct a seminar on traffic management at the City Museum. In attendance were personnel of the Public Order and Safety Office, LTO Dagupan, LTFRB Dagupan, PNP Dagupan, HPG Dagupan, traffic aides and barangay tanods. (Leonardo Micua/Jojo Rinoza /Nora Dominguez)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments