The Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (IACT) has reported that there are huge increase of traffic violators from January to May 2018.

The IACT, which was reactivated last September 2017 included nearby peripheries of the National Capital Region – as member-agencies like Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and Highway Patrol Group’s scope of work is nationwide.

Aside from Metro Manila, IACT also conducted anti-colorum and Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok operations in Rizal, Cavite, Pampanga, Laguna, Boracay, Caticlan, Davao, Cebu, and Pangasinan.

According to its data, a total of 4,132 traffic violators were apprehended by IACT from January to May 24 compared to 1,379 from September to December 2017 – a 99.9-percent increase.

As we start the year, a total of 2,555 motorists were issued tickets for defective parts and other violations while 928 vehicles were impounded for colorum, illegal parking, and out of line violations.

Department of Transportation Undersecretary and IACT overall head Tim Orbos said that the figures show that there are still a lot to be done to solve the traffic woes in the country.

“With IACT’s intensified and wider scope of operations, we are able to double our apprehensions compared to last year,” said Orbos.

“Though it is a significant achievement for us, it is also a bit disappointing to see the number increase as years go by,” explained Orbos.

As there are lots to be done to solve the traffic problem, IACT, following the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte, initiated a number of programs and campaigns.

Among those are Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok meant to get old and dilapidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) off the street and Libreng Sakay for commuters affected by the campaign; Task Force Kamao which is created to put a stop on colorum vehicles; coordination with mall owners and operators to suppress colorum activities under their watch; and Sumbong Bulok, Sumbong Usok hotline where the public can report various traffic violations through IACT Facebook Messenger.

Moreover, Orbos praised IACT personnel for its dedication to duty to alleviate commuters’ burden and to instill discipline to motorists.

“These initiatives are testament to our determination that there is no let-up in our goal towards having safer roads,” he said.