In Mandaue: No-contact policy for traffic violators

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City is set to implement a no-contact policy in enforcing traffic laws.

This means, traffic enforcers will no longer flag motorists violating traffic regulations in the city, eliminating physical contact, and will base enforcement of penalties on the violative act captured by closed-circuit television (CCTV) came-ras in the streets.

Newly elected mayor Luigi Quisumbing said this will also lessen interruptions to traffic flow, especially during peak hours, as vehicles no longer needed to be stopped in the streets.

The new system will take effect on August 1.

"There will be strict implementation of traffic," said newly elected mayor Luigi Quisumbing.

Quisumbing said CCTV cameras have been installed in at least seven intersections in the city.

The cameras were installed during the time of outgoing mayor Jonas Cortes.

During Cortes' time as mayor, the city spent P39 million for additional traffic lights and 42 CCTV cameras as part of the second phase of Mandaue's modern traffic signal system.

The traffic lights and CCTV cameras were installed at intersections in Barangays Canduman, Pagsabungan, below the flyovers in Barangays Maguikay and Subang-daku, and at the intersection of UN Avenue and DM Cortes Street.

CCTV cameras are also present at an intersection in Barangay Tabok and at the intersection on A. del Rosario Street and S.B. Cabahug Street

The CCTV cameras are connected to the City Command Center with the use of fiber optics.

Quisumbing also said the city will be strict on double parking violations and will install signs for proper loading and unloading of public vehicles.

"There will be no progress without sacrifice," Quisumbing said, adding, he will leave it to the new city counci-lors to review and, if necessary, amend the city's traffic code. (FREEMAN)