CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly trying to resist arrest, two men are facing charges before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.
Phil Mon Monteros is facing resistance and disobedience towards agent on persons of authority, while Ronald Batiancila is complained for resistance and violation of Republic Act 10586 known as “An Act Penalizing Persons Driving under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs and other Similar Substances.”
During the inquest proceeding, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management officer Reynante Gorniz said the two alleged suspects opted not to file counter affidavit “to negate the allegations filed against them.” Instead, they manifested to face the charges in court.
Last week, the motorcycle driver Batiancila, together with Monteros, allegedly tried to hit traffic enforcer Bonifacio dela Cruz who is assigned to man traffic at corner General Maxilom and Gorordo Avenues, as they tried to evade a traffic violation committed.
Hazard pays
In a separate development, Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella wants his colleagues in the city government to reconsider granting hazard pay to city’s employees, especially traffic enforcers, following two simultaneous incidents last week that killed one female enforcer manning traffic in Barangay Banilad.
Labella said he will discuss with the members of the City Council and Mayor Michael Rama, who is now in the United States for a month-long vacation, to study the possibility of giving “sufficient insurance coverage” on accidents to traffic enforcers, garbage collectors, city environmental and sanitation and enforcement officers, among others.
“Dili lang insurance in case of their death but insurance in case of injuries sustained from altercations in line of duty or injuries related to the performance of their public functions. I think it’s a must. I will recommend this to the City Council and to the Mayor,” he added.
The Department of Budget and Management defines hazard pay as “an additional compensation for performing hazardous duties and for enduring physical hardships in the course of performance of duties.
Also, Labella agreed with CITOM board chairman Ruben Almendras to increase the salaries of the traffic enforcers.
Labella, a lawyer by profession, said the city will look into particular provisions of the law that allow traffic enforcers and some City Hall employees for hazard pays.
This after city’s Human Resources and Development Office head Atty. Dominic Diño claimed that giving of hazard pay to enforcers is not allowed by DMB.
For his part, CITOM operations chief Joy Tumulak said Labella’s plan is a “very welcome development” for the city’s traffic enforcers and employees.
“Dako kaayo ni nga tabang alang sa atong mga enforcers and garbage collectors kay hazardous gyud kaayo ang ilang mga trabaho. Mao nga gi-awhag usab nako ang konseho nga mosuporta niini,” he told The FREEMAN. (FREEMAN)