With more traffic lights installed throughout Bacolod City, the necessity for traffic enforcers has reduced; even when there were more deployed to the streets, many of them weren’t even licensed drivers, nor did they understand traffic management. Imagine, there were around 400 traffic enforcers unsuccessfully monitoring the streets, which cost the local government millions.

Today, many of those individuals donning the red uniform can be seen grouped together and chatting, seemingly unaware of the chaos going on around them.

Observers say traffic authorities have failed to organize local streets and highways, especially with jeepneys and buses loading and unloading along the said roadways. Take the case of southern-bound buses entering the Singcang-Airport area. Taxis are already lined up along the side of the roads, which is also where buses stop to unload passengers; then, add daredevil jeepney operators who swerve around the bus to grab passengers – chaotic, indeed.

The absence of good road management is a disservice to local motorists.

Between last year and early 2018, the local traffic head appeared on television several times to offer tips and advice, along with mentions of apprehensions made of errant drivers. Today, such dialogue is no longer prevalent. Does he think what he has done is enough? Perhaps he has been asked to step back (if so, it would be for obvious reasons).

Instilling discipline is an ongoing process and the citizenry appreciate such a movement.

Meanwhile, in an effort to enforce discipline and support road safety, the Land Transportation Office-Region VI will reportedly be deploying their regional traffic enforcers to Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

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This column greets Michael Trani, Aina Bautista, Linus Jimenez, Jobart Allic, Nino Lozares, Francis Velez, Nanette Lizares, Rey Bala-an, Gerard Tupas, Toto Tarrosa, and JB Ongsingco./WDJ