‘Allow traffic enforcers to confiscate licenses’

Cebu City traffic enforcers will be allowed to confiscate driver’s license of motorists caught violating traffic rules in the city if a proposed ordinance will be approved by the City Council.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, who sponsored the proposed ordinance, said that there has been an “alarming increase” in traffic accidents on the highways, thoroughfares, streets and roads of Cebu City.

He added that even Waze, a mobile application for traffic monitoring, named Cebu as one of the world’s worst places to drive.

“In the interest of public safety and order, there is an imperative need for the Cebu City government to immediately address this concern,” said Gabuya during last week’s session.

He said this could only be addressed through stricter regulations with the view of effectively removing the rampant traffic violation in the city caused by the erring motorists.

Under the proposed ordinance, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) including its traffic enforcers, agents and the duly deputized traffic enforcers of the city government are authorized to confiscate the driver’s license of motorist found violating traffic laws.

Gabuya said that the city could grant authority to traffic enforcers to confiscate driver’s licenses in pursuant to the provisions of Republic Acts 4136 and 7160.

Under Section 29 of RA 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines,“ law enforcement and peace officers of agencies duly deputized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) shall, in apprehending a driver for any violation of the Code or any regulations not contrary to any provisions of the law, confiscate the license of the driver concerned and issued a receipt prescribed and issued for the purpose.”

Meanwhile in RA 7160, it authorized local government units to regulate traffic within its territorial jurisdiction.

The proposed ordinance was referred to the Committee on Laws for further study and recommendation.