Former Negros Occidental board member Patrick Lacson, the newly appointed officer-in-charge of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), promised zero tolerance for corruption at the BTAO on Friday, November 3.
Lacson, who joined Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez at a press conference, also promised a more efficient BTAO that will not tolerate any waste of taxpayers’ money.
The BTAO, which was previously located at the Bacolod City Police Office compound, is now at BazketBCD at 15th and Lacson streets, which has space for impounded vehicles, he said.
Benitez signed a memorandum of agreement with Metro Towing Services owned by Francis Desales on Friday, for the towing of illegally parked vehicles in Bacolod.
Meanwhile, Benitez has directed City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. to investigate complaints of corruption at the BTAO under its previous head.
Ting said he will submit the investigation report in 10 days.
Benitez has asked the Sangguniang Panlungsod to hold in abeyance its planned investigation of the BTAO and to leave the job to the CLO.
Benitez removed Maj. Junjie Liba as head of the BTAO on October 31.
The mayor said Liba is not under his jurisdiction since he is a member of the Philippine National Police.
The mayor said his removal of Liba as BTAO head was not a whimsical decision as certain issues and complaints have been raised that require an impartial investigation.
“As early as couple of month ago we submitted three folders of complaints,” Benitez said, which Liba has not answered.
At the end of the day what is important is that trust and confidence in a public official is beyond doubt, he said.
Liba earlier denied committing any corrupt acts as BTAO head.
Benitez reiterated that he is leaving the complaint that Bacolod Councilor Al Victor Espino threatened a BTAO job order worker with a gun to the court to decide since a case has already been filed.
The mayor also said that during a meeting with traffic enforcers, he was told that they had to spend P3,000 of their personal money for their uniforms.
He has tasked Lacson to see to the reimbursement of the traffic enforcers.
Benitez, in an earlier statement on the appointment of Lacson as BTAO head, said “this strategic decision is aligned with the city’s vision to transform BTAO into a robust and fully-fledged department, equipped with a larger staff and budget, to effectively tackle our city’s growing traffic challenges”.
In anticipation of the increasing traffic congestion on Bacolod’s roads, addressing this challenge directly has become imperative, the mayor said.
The city administration recognizes the urgent need for both operational expertise and strategic planning to effectively manage this issue, the statement said.
Lacson’s appointment signifies a significant leap forward in the city’s mission to establish a more streamlined and efficient traffic management system, it added.
Lacson, in a statement on his appointment, said “I am truly appreciative of the trust Mayor Albee Benitez has placed in me, and I am committed to serving the city and its residents with dedication and diligence”.
“I want to emphasize that I am open to suggestions and eager to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that our work is inclusive and reflective of the community’s needs and aspirations,” he added.*