Camiguin’s Mahinog town forms task force to help enforce traffic laws

Mahinog, Camiguin - The Municipal Government today has formed a task force to help enforce traffic laws and local ordinances in the municipality.

Mayor Alex R. Jajalla signed Executive Order No. 9 creating the Special Traffic Action Force (STAF) which shall be under the direct supervision and control of the office of the Mayor.

Mayor Jajalla designated Sanguniang Barangay Committee on Transportation Chairman Hon. Rey Lawrence K. Tan to chair the task force.

PO1 Jerry A. Jalagat of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was named chief executive officer while Mr. Arlino C. Arca, a deputized Land Transportation Office (LTO) agent was also designated as team leader.

There are seven other members of the task force who have been deputized by the LTO from the local government and the local PNP.

Mayor Jajalla said the task force was created to maintain law and order on the streets and to conduct a crackdown against colorum operators, driving without helmet, including single motorcycle for hire (habal-habal) and motorela who ply the streets without franchise and permits from the municipality and other crimes committed in the streets with the use of a motor vehicle, among others.

Members of the Special Traffic Action Force are deputized by the LTO and authorized to issue LTO Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) upon confiscation of driver’s license and the LTO impounding receipt if there is a need to impound the vehicle.

Traffic enforcers could also issue the traffic citation ticket against violators of Municipal Traffic and Transportation Code.

The mayor said that the creation of the traffic task force is in support of the massive traffic enforcement action program undertaken by the Camiguin provincial government under the leadership of Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo to enhance public safety awareness and road discipline among road users and pedestrians in response to the rapid development in the province of Camiguin.

Mayor Jajalla believes that this measure could minimize if not prevent the occurrence of vehicular accident in this municipality, which is the gateway to the paradise island province of Camiguin.