SPECIAL REPORT: Dispatchers in the city (2nd of two parts) Why do they exist despite a law banning them?

CEBU, Philippines - Without dispatchers or barkers on the streets, a jeepney driver in Cebu City can save at least P20 to P30 everyday out of his earnings.

Jeepney driver Roman Abella of Barangay Labangon said he wants to complain about the activities of several dispatchers operating along Colon and P. Lopez streets, but at the same time he is also concerned about his safety.

“Mga maldito man gud na'ng mga tawhana mao nga kuyawan mi og bawsan nila kay anhi man g'yud mi pirmi moagi ug mamik-ap og pasahero,” Abella said, referring to the area along Colon Street where a strict traffic enforcer was gunned down by an unidentified person several years ago.

PUJ driver Roldan Quiros of Barangay Guadalupe said that at first he ignored the demands of dispatchers who asked for money from him every time he passes by and picks up passengers along Osmeña Boulevard and Colon Street. But he suffered a lot from those dispatchers.

“Kada agi nako diha kaniadto kanunay g'yud nga masuyakan ang ligid sa akong PUJ. Nahunong lang dihang mohatag na ko sa mga dispatchers,” he said.

PO3 Edgar Baton of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) -Traffic Group said the presence of dispatchers in a particular area contributes to traffic congestion because the dispatchers ask the drivers to stop and wait for passengers.

According to PO3 Marlon Abella, who leads an anti-dispatching team, he really wants to conduct an intensified drive against these dispatchers but he cannot do it because of the lack of personnel and a vehicle. An anti-dispatching team consists of one policeman and a civilian driver. Another team is headed by SPO1 Jener Abellanosa.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said the best thing to do is to add more people to the anti-dispatching teams to make these more effective.

Jonathan “Joy” Tumulak, operations officer of the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM), said there are only 230 CITOM personnel assigned to traffic enforcement and he cannot assure he can add more personnel to the anti-dispatching team.

Mayor Michael Rama said he will discuss the matter with CCPO director Noli Romana because he really wants to stop the illegal activities of dispatchers. The mayor said the ordinance should be strictly enforced.         

“Dili man kana mahimo nga dunay ordinansa unya dili ipatuman,” the mayor said.

Rama added he also wants to meet with representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), CITOM and a representative from the dispatchers so they could also air their sentiments and ideas on how to solve the problem.

The mayor explained that since the issue involves people who defy the law just to earn for their families and survive, then the government, through the DOLE, should come in to give solutions to their problem.

“We hope lang nga kining mga tawhana walay involvement sa mga snatchers,” the mayor said, admitting that solving the problem about dispatching is not easy that is why strategic planning together with the concerned officials is needed.

“Bisan og dakpon pa kami nila ug prisohon mobalik ra gihapon mi inig gawas namo kay wala man mi lain nga kapaingnan,” said Eric, one of the dispatchers operating along Colon and P. Lopez streets.

Among the areas where dispatchers operate are F. Ramos Street near Robinsons, Osmeña Boulevard near the Department of Health (DOH), Gorordo Avenue near JY Square, P. Burgos Street near the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral; Leon Kilat Street; and D. Jakosalem - Colon streets.

PO3 Abella believes that the government cannot stop dispatching by just apprehending the violators, saying, “Kon pangdakpon nimo kanang mga dispatchers karon, pulihan man 'sab kana og lain.”

Vice Mayor Labella said he will try to revisit the anti-dispatching ordinance in order to look for a much effective way to solve the problem of PUJ drivers.

“Bisan supak sa buot, hatag lang g'yud mi kay sa madumtan,” a driver of a Guadalupe-bound PUJ said.

Meanwhile, PO3 Baton advised his fellow enforcers not to allow dispatchers to operate near the areas where they are manning traffic because these barkers will just use them to extort more money from drivers.

“Abuga g’yud ninyo kon may dispatcher nga anaa duol sa lugar nga kamo nadestino kay ang ubang dispatcher moingon kana sa mga drayber nga papun-an ang ihatag ug ipasangil nga para sa polis ang uban,” said PO3 Baton, who has been assigned to the traffic group for over a decade already.

Ritchie, a dispatcher, said he does not demand any amount from the drivers in exchange for his services in helping them find passengers. “Kon mohatag og piso, o dos pesos dawaton ra nako. Dili man ko mamugos, kon pila'y ihatag dawaton sa drayber,” he said.

Ritchie added that some policemen use dispatchers as their “assets” to give reports on the goings on of an area. That is why, he said, he and the four other dispatchers operating along the corner of Colon and D. Jakosalem streets do not allow other dispatchers to operate in their area, especially if they do not know the person.

Aside from dispatchers, there are also many watch-your-car boys in different areas in the city. But unlike dispatchers, these watch-your-car boys do not force motorists to give them money.

PO3 Abella, however, warns motorists to always be watchful if they will not pay watch-your-car boys. This is because some of these people resort to scratching vehicles with sharp objects if they are not given money.

Motorist Oscar Lequin from Bogo City said he always gives P5 to the watch-your-car boy with a smile and ask them to take care of his vehicle. “Pila ra man gud na ang singko pesos kay sa kawatan ang atong sakyanan,” he said.

While the anti-dispatching teams apprehend dispatchers, they just spare watch-your-car boys. The teams, however, admit that some of these watch-your-car boys cause problems for parking aides.

CITOM parking aides collect P20 per hour parking fees from motorists, but sometimes unscrupulous watch-your-car boys collect the pay from the motorists without the knowledge of the parking aides and keep the money for themselves.

“Ang alkanse tawon ang traffic aide kay makatapal sa kantidad nga gibulsa sa watch-your-car boys,” said PO3 Abella.

Both Rama and Labella are hopeful that the problem on dispatchers and watch-your-car boys can be solved once the concerned officials are able to meet. —/QSB (FREEMAN)