Batangas City is the capital of its namesake, Batangas province. With more than 350,000 people as of 2020, it is one of the country’s fastest growing cities in terms of population… and urbanization, too. In fact, it is also called the “Industrial Port City of CALABARZON,” since it is home to the Batangas International Port.
Like other highly urbanized areas, Batangas City faces traffic on a daily basis. Fortunately, there’s the Batangas City Transportation Development Regulatory Office (TDRO), which oversees city transportation, together with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Transportation in Batangas City
The transportation system in Batangas includes land transport as well as water transport modes. Aside from privately owned vehicles, there are public utility vehicles (PUVs) such as tricycles, jeepneys, vans, and buses. In particular, public buses carry passengers to and from nearby towns and cities, including Metro Manila.
As for public utility jeepney (PUJ) routes, operators follow a color and number coding scheme, as stated in the City’s Traffic Ordinance. Along each route are designated PUJ terminals and parking areas.
To manage traffic, LED traffic signal lights (with electronic timers) are installed in major intersections across the city. Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have also been installed in strategic locations, as part of the city’s traffic management program.
With regards to water transportation, there’s the Batangas City International Port — one of the country’s busiest ports, serving as a major gateway to and from the islands of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan… up to the Visayas and Mindanao islands.
What is the TDRO?
The Transportation Development and Regulatory Office (TDRO) of the Batangas City Government is the authority in charge of supervising and administering the operation and maintenance of all public land transportation vehicles in Batangas City.
Vision, Mission, and Pledge
According to its official website, the Batangas City TDRO’s vision, mission, and service pledge are as follows:
Vision
“A sustainable transportation system adequate for the city and its level of urbanization, responsive not only to the current but also to the projected mobilization demand of the goods and people.”
Mission
“To regulate the operation of various modes of transport, ensure the implementation of traffic rules, and provide efficient transport management schemes that will ease up congestion, shorten travel time, and minimize the cost of travel along any road sections of the city, promote the safety and well-being of the people, property, and goods at all times.”
Service Pledge
The TDRO is committed to:
- “Devote ourselves, our knowledge and skills, time and abilities to render genuine public service;
- Be prompt, polite, courteous, and honest in serving every constituent/client;
- Give high regards to the dignity, honor, and importance of all our clients;
- Deliver unequivocal public service for the welfare of the general public;
- Promote efficiency and proficiency in rendering services; and
- Implement Batangas City Traffic Ordinance and other local and national transport related ordinances and laws strictly and fairly.”
Programs and Services
Meanwhile, here is a list of services provided by the TDRO:
- Inspection of Motorized Tricycle for Application of Mayor’s Permit;
- Inspection of Public Utility Jeepney for Application of Mayor’s Permit;
- Issuance of Mayor’s Permit for Motorized Tricycle;
- Issuance of Mayor’s Permit for Public Utility Jeepney;
- Issuance of Mayor’s Permit for Public Utility Bus;
- Renewal of Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit;
- Application for Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit – Change Motor;
- Application for Motorized Tricycle Operator’s Permit – Transfer of Ownership;
- Request for Route Maps for Applicants of Burial, Motorcade,
- Procession, Parade, Fun Run, and Other Related Activities;
- Request for Information Regarding Transport and Traffic Management such as Traffic Surveys and Other Transport Related Data;
- Releasing of Confiscated License due to Traffic Violation and Cancellation of Records;
- Releasing of Impounded Vehicle;
- Issuance of Mayor’s Permit and Sticker to Delivery Vehicles; and
- Issuance of Mayor’s Permit and Sticker to School Service Vehicles and Shuttle Buses.
Violations and Penalties
On the other hand, here is a list of violations and fines, as stipulated in the Batangas City Traffic Ordinance of 2020:
Driving Violations
- Failure to carry copy of vehicle registration and official receipt while driving – PHP 500
- Driving with unsigned Traffic Citation Ticket (TCT) – PHP 500
- Failure to carry driver’s license while driving – PHP 1,000
- Driving using expired, suspended, or revoked driver’s license – PHP 1,000
- Refusal to present driver’s license to apprehending officer – PHP 1,000
- Allowing unlicensed person to drive – PHP 1,000
- Driving using student driver permit without supervision of a licensed driver – PHP 1,000
- Driving without the plate number properly attached to the vehicle – PHP 1,000
- Overtaking in “no overtaking zone” – PHP 1,000
- Parking in “no parking zone” – PHP 1,000
- Driving against flow of traffic or entering “no entry” points – PHP 1,000
- Driving without license – PHP 1,500
- Reckless driving – PHP 1,500
- Use or possession of fake driver’s license – PHP 2,000
- Driving or using an unregistered vehicle – PHP 2,000
Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs)
- Driving without stickers, IDs issued by TDRO – PHP 500
- Driving PUV without Mayor’s Permit – PHP 500
- Driving PUV with expired Mayor’s Permit – PHP 500
- Failure to paint authorized color codes or route code numbers – PHP 500
- Driving of PUVs out of line or approved route – PHP 1,000
- Refusal to convey passenger to destination – PHP 1,000
- Trip cutting – PHP 1,000
- Overcharging of fare – PHP 1,000
- Wearing undershirt, sleeveless shirt, shorts, and slippers only while driving PUVs – PHP 1,000
- Failure to provide trash receptacle in PUVs – PHP 1,000
- Tampering of control numbers and panel routes of vehicles – PHP 1,000 (driver); PHP 2,000 (operator); PHP 2,500 (operator/driver)
- Driving under influence of liquor or prohibited drug – PHP 2,000
Other Violations
- Jaywalking or crossing streets without using pedestrian lanes or pedestrian overpass – PHP 100
- Violation of truck ban – PHP 500
- Violation of truck route – PHP 500
- Smoke belching vehicles – PHP 1,000
- Destruction, tampering, vandalizing, or unauthorized removal of traffic signs or markers – PHP 1,500
- Driving a colorum vehicle – PHP 2,000
Contact Information: Batangas City TDRO
Inquiries and other and concerns regarding the Transportation Development Regulatory Office (TDRO) may be addressed to:
Address: Batangas City Hall, City Hall Compound, P. Burgos Street, Batangas City, 4200 Batangas
Telephone: (043) 300 1610
Website: https://www.batangascity.gov.ph/web/tdro
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/TDRO-100087208851067/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
Batangas City is one of the fastest growing, highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. To help manage traffic, as well as to regulate and supervise public utility vehicles in the city, the Transportation Development Regulatory Office (TDRO) was established.
Meanwhile, in other cities, there are road authorities that play similar roles as the TDRO. In Baguio City, for example, there’s the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).