Students were captured in a video going over the metal barrier at the center island and crossing illegally a thoroughfare in Iloilo City. Heard in the video are honks of vehicles yielding to jaywalkers. 

The incident took place on Diversion Road in Mandurriao District, Iloilo City, according to the person who took the video.

The Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) raised alarm over the incident, citing apparent violation of the anti-jaywalking ordinance.

According to Regulation Ordinance No. 2010-370, jaywalkers are to be fined P50, or to face imprisonment not exceeding one day.

“Naalarma tayo, nakita nyo naman na ang traffic natin huminto. Meaning, kung hindi napansin… this is really na dapat ang orientation ipagpatuloy natin,” said Iloilo City TTMO Head Uldarico Garbanzos.

The jaywalkers were identified to be students of Jaro National High School.

According to the school principal, Melanie Tabaculde, five are Grade 7 students while one is a Grade 8 student.

Tabaculde said that the students were not aware it was prohibited to cross the road in the said area.

“Tinanong ko ang isang bata, nagmamadali daw ito kasi may call. May message ang kanyang mother, magko-call sa kanya kaya nagmadali siyang tumawid. Tapos sumunod na yung iba,” Tabaculde added.

The students were summoned reportedly to the Guidance Office on Monday, August 18, 2025, along with their parents.

“Ipinaliwanag sa kanila ang danger. [Wala na’ng disciplinary action] kasi outside the school. Hindi na yan violation sa school ngunit education pa rin,” Tabaculde further said.

The Local Government Unit of Iloilo City has mulled on engaging with the school for a lecture among students on traffic rules and safety, along with barangay officials.

The Iloilo City TTMO is set to focus monitoring tightly in areas where the anti-jaywalking ordinance is violated repeatedly.

“Nasabi ko kanina na i-review. Part ng review is the realignment ng deployment and i-orient rin natin ang ating Task Force Jaywalking na bumalik sila,” Garbanzos further said.