Inter-Agency Council on Traffic chief Tomas Orbos on Monday warned the public against a group of individuals posing as I-ACT team members who are conducting road clearing operations and apprehending erring motorists in Metro Manila.
“The success of I-ACT operations especially with its ‘Tanggal Bulok ,Tanggal Usok’ program certainly had some enterprising personnel take advantage,” said Orbos.
Orbos said this after private and public vehicle owners complained they were victims of harassment by enforcers claiming to be I-ACT operatives.
“Some motorists have informed me that they were accosted by enforcers claiming to be from I-ACT. We don't want the name of I-ACT to be tarnished. Its personnel were chosen carefully, not all enforcers qualify to be I-ACT,” Orbos said.
I-ACT is a special team composed of personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Transportation, Police Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and local government unit traffic officers.
Orbos said their operations, by its very nature, must operate with a group of personnel coming from several agencies.
"A group from one or two agencies does not make it an I-ACT operation, more so with one enforcer, even if he participated in an operation or wears that I-ACT vest," Orbos pointed out.
"We don’t hide our operations and surprise motorists because our operations are planned and coordinated," he added.
Orbos said all I-ACT personnel carry authorized IDs and mission orders and the operations don't have boundaries.
“As it is inter-agency, it can operate outside Metro Manila when need be. In fact, plans are underway to implement similar operations protocol in Cebu given a call by the private sector in the area,” he said.
I-ACT operations also carry heavier penalties as it can issue tickets for various traffic violations. Other agencies can only issue tickets for limited violations.
"We emphasize to our men the value of integrity and public trust. We will move against these errant unauthorized operations and we will bring notice to their respective agency heads of their misdeeds for proper action," said Orbos.
In October last year, I-ACT launched Task Force Alamid to help confront traffic- prone areas and help enforcers in managing traffic in critical areas of Metro Manila—such as roads leading to and from seaport, airport and bus terminals—in time for the holiday season when traffic is expected to be heavy.
Alamid also target critical areas during busy periods, including bus stops and no-stopping zones, which are notorious for illegal parking and illegal picking up and dropping of passengers and goods.
In August 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an Executive Order strengthening the I-ACT to find solution to the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila and prevent billions in economic losses.
Under the Executive Order, I-ACT will also cover the neighboring provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Bulacan.
The President, during his second State of the Nation Address, said he wants all roads in the country's biggest cities cleared of all illegally-parked vehicles to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in the metropolis.