GenSan to Adopt ‘No Contact Policy’ vs. Traffic Violators

General Santos City is set to adopt a ‘no contact policy’ in the enforcement of traffic regulations and the clearing of roads of various obstructions.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said the move aims to enhance the implementation of the newly-launched ‘Oplan Linis at Ligtas na Kalsada,’ which focuses on the strict enforcement of local and national traffic laws.

Rivera said they are currently working with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 12 (Soccsksargen) for the necessary arrangements before the scheme’s rollout before the end of the year.

City Administrator Arnel Zapatos held initial talks with LTO-12 Director Macario Gonzaga last Monday, October 21, regarding the ‘no contact policy’ and its implementing procedure.

Rivera said the city government will be signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LTO-12 “to allow our police personnel and traffic enforcers to take pictures of the violators instead of issuing actual citation tickets.”

“Fines and penalties will later be collected during the renewal of the vehicles’ licenses,” he said in a statement.

He said the police and traffic enforcers will undergo training and simulation activities to ensure its proper implementation of the measure.

The city government launched ‘Oplan Linis at Ligtas na Kalsada’ last October 15 in coordination with the city police and LTO.

The initiative complements the city government’s road-clearing program, which complies with an earlier directive from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Among the major traffic regulations being implemented is the prohibition on motorcycles and tricycles in inner lanes of highways and major roads, as well as the entry into the city of unregistered tricycles from the neighboring localities.