Osmeña: P5-fine for motorcycle violators

CEBU, Philippines - Before Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña left for the Netherlands last Tuesday, he left one good news that motorcycle riders would definitely cherish.

He promised that all motorists driving two-wheeled vehicles will only have to pay a reduced fine of P5 for violating select traffic rules in Cebu City.

“I get so many texts (from motorists). They're very scared. I said never mind. If you get caught, just come to my office and I'll adjudicate it. I will give you 99 percent discount,” he said.

Osmeña, however, said the violations should not be related to causing traffic congestion, like illegally parking along sidewalks.

He said he will not adjudicate traffic violations related to reckless driving and drunk driving.

He has been vocal on his stand against the newly-implemented law disallowing children from riding motorcycles.

With this, he ordered all traffic enforcers in Cebu City not to apprehend motorists who are driving motorcycles for as long as the latter will not cause traffic congestion.

“I’m compelled to prioritize and tell our traffic enforcers – ‘do not arrest two-wheeled vehicles.’ That’s not our problem. That’s not our immediate priority, unless it’s causing traffic',” he said.

Osmeña said his priority is addressing the traffic congestion in the city, stressing that the number of four-wheeled vehicles in the streets is the key reason why there is traffic.

If all four-wheeled vehicles will be pulled out and retain only the two-wheeled vehicles, the mayor said traffic congestion will not be a problem in the city.

“So, I’d like to tell the public if there’s anyone there who is apprehended by the traffic enforcers because of, or for whatever reason…because you’re taking your child to school, just come to me, I’ll reduce your penalty to P5,” he said.

The mayor said he is still in compliance with the law since there is still a fine to violators.

He admitted that he has been receiving text messages from people alleging that some traffic enforcers are making a livelihood through extortion.

“I’m warning our traffic enforcers. If you start extorting like this, I will treat you like you’re an Abu Sayyaf,” he said.

Osmeña also asked the public to report to his office if there are traffic enforcers who abuse their authority.

He believed that some of the “abusive” traffic enforcers are his appointees. With this, he said he will not allow them to continue extorting from motorists especially the motorcycle drivers. (FREEMAN)