Personnel from the City Legal Office (CLO) Enforcement Team and the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department (BTTMD) held a briefing on Thursday, August 27, to ensure the observance of maximum tolerance as the Bacolod City Government intensifies road-clearing operations.
BTTMD Officer-in-Charge Reuben Mikhail Sabig reiterated the directive of City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu during the briefing following the circulation of a video online showing a member of the city enforcement team involved in a verbal altercation with a vendor at the Libertad Public Market.
Sabig, who also supervises the CLO Enforcement Team, stressed that personnel must remain professional and respectful while performing their duties and must always operate within the bounds of their authority, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) said.
“As much as possible, we must have control. While we remain firm in our obligation, we must not go beyond our job,” Sabig said.
He emphasized that enforcement personnel are expected to remain calm and exercise sound judgment, particularly when dealing with vendors, motorists, and other members of the public during operations.
Lawyer Bartolome Malde Jr., also of the CLO Enforcement Team, acknowledged that emotions may escalate during tense situations but reminded personnel to exercise restraint.
“We do understand that sometimes it’s spur of the moment, but let us be careful and mindful of our words and actions. As much as possible, exercise maximum tolerance,” Malde said.
During a road-clearing operation in Barangay Sum-ag on Thursday, BTTMD personnel confiscated 14 driver’s licenses and impounded 15 colorum tricycles, five e-bikes, and two motorcycles.
The operation focused on illegal parking along sidewalks that contributes to traffic congestion, as well as unregistered or “colorum” public utility vehicles, particularly those operating along the Sum-ag–Dulao, Bago City route, and unauthorized e-bikes.
Among the violations cited were operating without valid permits or franchises, driving without a license, and operating unregistered vehicles.
Meanwhile, the CLO Enforcement Team conducted follow-up clearing operations at the Barangay Tangub Public Market to maintain public order and ensure that sidewalks remain accessible to pedestrians.
Enforcement personnel instructed vendors to remove tables and chairs obstructing sidewalks, detached improvised roof-trim extensions, and dismantled an illegal structure located between the market and an adjacent school.
The City Government of Bacolod reiterated that clearing and enforcement operations will continue to promote road safety, public order, and pedestrian accessibility.
At the same time, the city government emphasized that enforcement personnel must uphold professionalism, respect, and maximum tolerance while ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Through these continuing efforts, the city government remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety on roads and sidewalks while providing drivers and vendors with clear and accessible avenues to comply with regulations and operate legally, the BCCO said.*
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