Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Monday ordered the mass resignation of all 690 traffic enforcers of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau after being swamped with complaints from motorists about their alleged extortion activities.
This as Estrada formally launched the Manila “traffic super body,” an interagency group composed of city and barangay officials and leaders and representatives of local transport organizations, Parents-Teachers Associations, business groups and other stakeholders that will jointly come up with long-term solutions to address the city’s traffic problems.
“Today, I am issuing an order for all traffic enforcers of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau to step down and turn in their resignation letters. I want all of them out, with no exceptions. Tama na. Sobra na. Palitan na,” Estrada said.
“I have 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 pointed out in ordering the unprecedented mass termination.
While admitting that his order would affect the livelihood of the MTPB personnel and their families, Estrada said he has to make this difficult decision for “the greatest good” of the majority.
“I cannot sacrifice the welfare of the Manila residents just because of a few traffic enforcers who destroy the image of the MTPB, as well as the local government of Manila,” Estrada said. “We will start with a clean slate.”
The mayor admitted he is disappointed and outraged by what MTPB has become over the years, despite his administration’s initiatives to eliminate corruption and introduce reforms in the city government.
While MTPB is being reorganized, Estrada has temporarily turned over traffic management operations to the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Manila Police District, with help from the barangay volunteers and other auxiliary units.
As to the sacked MTPB personnel, Estrada said they may reapply provided they meet a new set of stricter qualification standards a “special selection committee” he has formed will formulate.
This, he said, is “to weed out misfits and those that have derogatory records.”
MPD director Senior Supt. Joel Coronel will train the new MTPB recruits, he added.
Estrada has also tasked the traffic super body to oversee the strict implementation of traffic rules in the city, and come up with doable solutions to help decongest the city’s main thoroughfares.
“Traffic is everybody’s concern. We should come up with a collective effort to address our perennial traffic problems,” added Dennis Alcoreza, head of the MTPB, who will be retained by the city government.
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.
The traffic super body is composed of elements of the MPD-TEU, Department of Public Services, Manila Tricycle Regulatory Office, Office of the City Engineer, Manila Barangay Bureau, City Treasurer’s Office, and the Manila City Hall Action and Support Assignment.
Officials and representatives of local transport groups such as the Consolidated Truckers Association, Fejodap, and Pasang Masda; PTAs, city councilors, and barangay officials are also in the group.
From the local business sector, port operators International Container Terminal Services and Asian Terminals Inc. are also in the group.