BAGUIO CITY – The influx of tourists in this mountain resort will not hamper the strict implementation of the city’s clean air ordinance.
This was revealed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan during the Weekly Ugnayan Presser Wednesday to ensure that the air quality in the city is maintained.
“We will not suspend the operations of the Roadside Inspection, Testing and Monitoring Team (RITMT),” he said.
Domogan said,” the RITMT operations will go on especially that the number of vehicles plying the city’s street will double due to the influx of visitors.”
The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), Traffic Management Unit (TMU) has doubled its personnel to man the different gridlocks in the city.
This is in response to the expected arrival of visitors wanting to take advantage of the long vacation due to the APEC meet.
“We have to implement our laws even if it means a little inconvenience to our motorists,” he said.
The chief executive said this will send a clear message that the health and wellbeing of the public should be prioritized.
“We hope that motorists will comply with the city’s clean air ordinance, it is for the welfare of everyone,” he said.
Domogan meantime urged the public to file formal complaints with his office in case smoke belching enforcers are disrespectful, extort money or conduct improper roadside tests.
“Motorists or the riding public who may have complaints against our RITMT enforcers may lodge a formal complaint directly to my office so that their concerns may be properly addressed,” he said.
“The city government does not tolerate abusive law enforcers, we will make sure that we will investigate them if there are any complaints,” he said.
Domogan however called on motorists to be responsible vehicle owners and make sure that their vehicles are well-maintained to contribute to the advocacy for cleaner air and a healthier environment. /Paul Rillorta