Deputizing barangay tanods (village watchmen) as agents of the Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management System (CTMS) has started.

Deputizing tanods as traffic agents has been initiated by Barangay Bankal where five of their tanods are already deputized agents of CTMS.

According to Mario Napule, head of CTMS, Bankal Barangay Chairman Celestino Pangatungan sent a letter request to the mayor on deputizing tanods to help deal with the mounting challenges in traffic management in the  barangay especially in the vicinity of schools, as well as the implementation of truck ban.

Deputized agents have the authority to cite motorists for traffic violations such as illegal parking or driving while wearing slippers, shorts, or sleeveless shirts, according to CTMS in a press release posted on the Lapu-Lapu City Public Information Office official social media page.

“The plan is for all barangays to have deputized agents. Barangay Bankal was just the first because their barangay captain requested it from the mayor,” Napule said.

Napule added that the deputized tanods is a big help to the manpower of CTMS, as they fill the lack in the number of traffic enforcers. These tanods were previously personnel of CTMS who went through a one-day refresher training.

The deputized tanods, however, are limited to apprehension of traffic violators and issuance of citation tickets at roads that are within the jurisdiction of their barangay.