Speed limits, wearing of mask begin today

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will start enforcing today the mandatory wearing of mask in public places and the speed limit for vehicles in the city.

CCPO director Col. Hector Grijaldo said that motorists who will be speeding over 40 kilometers per hour on national highways and city roads and 20 kilometers per hour on barangay roads will be apprehended.

"We (PNP) will have a big role together with the traffic management to implement the resolution coming from the mayor to implement the speed limit within the city," Grijaldo said.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella had issued Executive Order no. 67 setting a speed limit for vehicles on the city streets during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period to avoid accidents considering the loose traffic condition at present.

Grijaldo said that any police officer or traffic enforcer can flag down a motorist going beyond the speed limit. The police official said they have started calling out motorists yesterday but they were only given warning.

Grijaldo said imposing speed limit is effective in tracking down criminal elements.

"Pag may speed limit, we can say na yung mga sumusunod sa takbo ibig sabihin na they are law abiding citizen, yung mga hindi sumunod probably they have committed (an) offense already," Grijaldo said.

Aside from being crime deterrent, Grijaldo believes that it would also minimize, if not prevent road accidents, since there is minimal movement of vehicles on the roads.

The police are also closely monitoring the public compliance to the mandatory wearing of mask in crowded areas. Grijaldo, however, said they are still giving the public grace period to comply.

"As of now we are still tolerant," Grijalo said.  FPL (FREEMAN)