The service of at least 45 traffic enforcers in the City of Bacolod is not renewed in 2025.
The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) used to have 200 traffic enforcers, but according to its chief, the 45 have failed in the performance evaluation.
Patrick Lacson, BTAO head, did not provide details on the performance assessment, citing that it is an internal process, but he confirmed that most of those removed were implicated in alleged extortion of traffic violators.
“When we talk about regular position, mga plantillado, may ini-expect tayong qualification standard,” Lacson said.
According to Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, the assessment process was carried out fairly in all departments of the Local Government Unit (LGU).
“It’s top to bottom, from department heads going down to casual workers, it’s an ongoing process. Ang culture dito dapat is a culture of doing the right thing. Kung hindi sila maka-perform, we will act immediately kahit sino pa yan,” Mayor Benitez said.
The LGU has mulled on tightening the monitoring on traffic enforcers following complaints about alleged extortion that was exposed earlier by a former member of BTAO.
The Bacolod City Police have backed the plan.
“Dapat lang naman talaga kung hindi ka competent. Pwede kang makasuhan administrative(ly) kung hindi ka competent,” Colonel Joeresty Coronica, director of the Bacolod City Police Office, said.