Mustapha said they started the training last week of the region's first six female enforcers who would later be assigned in Koronadal City, the scheme's pilot area.
Dubbed “Koronadal angels,” he said the hiring of the lady enforcers was finalized last week following the signing of a memorandum of agreement between LTO and the city government of Koronadal.
Under the agreement, the LTO will train the female enforcers and absorb them into their regular administrative and operational functions but their salaries, supplies and other necessary equipment would be borne by the local government.
Mustapha said the lady enforcers would be assigned in major streets and highways within the city and will enforce both city traffic ordinances and provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the Traffic Code of the Philippines.
He said they will function as regular LTO enforcers and will be authorized to issue temporary operator's permits or TOPs and LTO impounding receipts for violations of the national traffic code and citation tickets for the city traffic infractions.
Mustapha said the scheme's primary objective is to rid the highways and streets of kotong or mulcting LTO enforcers.
“I think a traffic violator would hesitate to offer any bribe to a lady traffic enforcer,” he said.
Mustapha said the scheme is still experimental but that they are already drawing plans to introduce it in other cities in the region if it becomes successful.
Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Sarangani and the cities of Koronadal, General Santos, Kidapawan, Cotabato and Tacurong.
Mustapha said they had initiated discussions with officials of the local governments of Kidapawan, General Santos and Tacurong for the possible replication of the scheme. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)
