THE Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will strengthen its campaign against unauthorized private vehicles that use sirens and blinkers to avoid traffic rules.During the first meeting of the newly formed Cebu City Traffic Management Coordination Committee on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, a resolution was passed asking the CCTO to intensify the apprehension of these violators.Committee chairman Rico Rey Francis “Koko” Holganza said he had received reports of private individuals using these devices to blatantly disregard traffic signs.“This is a very important committee. We hope we can come up with something concrete for the City because there are a lot of traffic problems that we have to attend to,” Holganza said in a mix of Cebuano and English.CCTO deputy head for operations and spokesperson Paul Gotiong told SunStar Cebu Thursday, July 14, that only the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection, and medical emergency vehicles are allowed to use blinkers and sirens.Presidential Decree 96 has declared “the use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including dome lights and other signaling or flashing devices on motor vehicles” as unlawful.Gotiong said once apprehended, the driver’s license will be confiscated and a temporary operator’s permit will be issued. The traffic violator will be asked to settle the monetary penalties.The gadgets or equipment used will also be confiscated by the traffic enforcers, Gotiong added.According to Gotiong, the apprehension of violators of this rule is usually conducted by the LTO and PNP’s Highway Patrol Group.However, with this new directive of the traffic committee, Gotiong said they will push for a more stringent implementation of this traffic rule.“Under the new admin now of CCTO, we will be pushing for this but subject to approval and review,” said Gotiong.‘Traffic discipline zone’Meanwhile, the traffic committee will also implement a traffic discipline zone for public utility vehicles (PUVs) and commuters along Colon Street.Holganza said the plan is to establish a “traffic discipline zone” all over the city and the pilot area will be in Colon.According to Holganza, he has witnessed how PUVs disregard loading and unloading areas and just stop in any spot that can cause congestion.The CCTO has already installed new and clearer traffic signage in designated areas that can easily be seen by drivers and commuters.The committee also passed two resolutions directing the CCTO to negotiate with the Cebu City Police Office-Traffic Enforcement Unit and transport representatives to study the new traffic moves. (IRT, Jeanie Mea Pitor, CNU intern)