COTABATO CITY – Violators of the two-week-old “absolute no parking” policy on two major thoroughfares here has reached 480 as the city traffic management unit has intensified the drive against traffic law offenders.
Retired Police Col. Rolen Balquin, chief of the Cotabato City Public Safety Office, said in a news conference on Tuesday that a total of 480 motorists have been charged with violation of the absolute no parking ordinance since it was implemented last August 5.
“License plates of vehicles illegally parked along no parking areas were removed while driver’s licenses of policy violators were confiscated,” Balquin said.
Driver’s licenses and vehicle license plates may be redeemed at the Cotabato City Treasurer’s Office upon payment of corresponding penalties and undergoing a three-hour seminar on the city traffic code.
Balquin noted that most of the violations were “counter-flow”, “loading and unloading of passengers” outside designated areas, and “driving while using mobile phones”.
Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said that since August 5, the traffic flow along Sinsuat and Quezon avenues have improved tremendously.
The two main roads cater to an estimated 5,000 vehicles going in and out of this city daily.
She credited the improvement to law enforcers and the public’s cooperation. -PNA
