One on one with the city's traffic honcho
Senior Police Inspector Robert "Bob"
Foerster
Senior Police Inspector Robert "Bob" Foerster of the Traffic Management & Engineering Unit (TMEU) chuckled when this writer relayed feedback from some sectors of the city that the streets swarm with traffic auxiliary that are "short, dark and ugly".
"That's also the comment of some students of the University of the Philippines (UP), Iloilo when I was invited as a speaker to the studentry recently," still trying to contain his off-guarded reaction.
Like a classroom lecturer, Foerster discussed in detail the hiring of traffic auxiliary, plans and programs of his unit in coordination with the city government during an hour-long interview in his office last week.
He said, selection and recruitment of the traffic axillary are processed by the office of the City Mayor. Candidates are protégées of barangay captains from various districts of the city. Applicants must be high school graduates and have served either as tanod or members of anti-drug council, fire brigade or patrol 117 in their respective places. Those qualified by the Office of City Mayor are sent for interview and posting to TMEU.
There are 291 axillary police who are under special contract with the city government. They are generally rehired yearly except for about 2 or 3 percent who are dismissed for corrupt practices and absenteeism. Jaro gets the lion's share of that number as it tops in the number of vehicles that ply or passed that district.
An average of 5,000 traffic violations is committed every month. The penalty fees collected go to city coffers, but TMEU is negotiating for a share of 30% from the fees for their logistical needs to modernize their unit and bring about better work efficiency.
On the other hand, problems that impede smooth flow of traffic are cramped major city streets. "Those were constructed several years ago and can no longer cope with the volume of vehicles today," he stressed. To remedy the problem, infrastructure projects are underway to ease out traffic jam: repair of the Carpenter's Bridge in Mandurriao, West Diversion Road and the construction of flyover in strategic places.
Foerster also observes that pedestrians seldom use the flyover and simply cross whenever and wherever they would want to.
The sidewalk vendors that crowd the way also affects the flow of traffic and inconvenience to the pedestrians. Commercial malls that do not have adequate parking spaces also compound the problem.
A Japanese group of experts is mow making a feasibility survey of the traffics needs of the city. Recommendation of the group is expected to be out soon for implementation by the city government.
"There is really a need to have long-term plans because Iloilo City is one of the most urbanized cities in the country today", Foerster emphasized.
As to the issue of the "dark, short and ugly" traffic auxiliary, he flashed a smile and said, "You can tell that to City Major Jerry Treñas."