Have you ever been to Butuan? It is a highly urbanized city situated in the province of Agusan del Norte. With almost 373,000 people as of 2020, it is also the most populated city in Caraga region.
Aside from private vehicles, Butuan has different modes of public transport — tricycles, jeepneys, vans, buses, taxis, and multicabs (small-type jeepneys). To manage traffic and other transport-related activities, the City Government established the City Transportation and Traffic Management Department (CTTMD), which is quite similar to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
What is Butuan CTTMD?
The City Transportation and Traffic Management Department (CTTMD) was created to manage traffic and transportation in Butuan City. It is guided by the City Transportation and Traffic Management Board (CTTMB), which provides advice and policy directions on transportation and traffic management programs.
Vision, Mission, and Policies
According to its official website, the CTTMD’s vision and mission goes in line with those of the Butuan City Government, which is:
Vision. For Butuan to be “a great hub city of opportunities for all that spurs and supports Caraga’s sustainable growth and development.”
Mission. For Butuan to be “a vibrant, competitive, livable, sustainable, and smart eco city.”
Policies. To achieve this vision and mission, the CTTMD, along with the entire City Government of Butuan, commits to:
- Consistently adhere to policies, rules and regulations;
- Conscientiously observe the values of good governance;
- Continually improve effectiveness and efficiency in systems and procedures according to international standards; and
- Continuously manage and develop human resources for quality service delivery.
Programs and Services
The Butuan City CTTMD regularly provides traffic advisories and other services, such as “Oplan Madiyaw Travel.”
Traffic Advisories
Through its official Facebook page, the CTTMD regularly posts traffic advisories, especially when there are temporary road closures due to a road construction, parade, or other events. In these cases, the department also shares alternative routes for motorists.
Services Offered
Among the different services offered by the CTTMD are:
- Safety Driving Education and Traffic Management Services;
- Evaluation of Application Form from Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) for Franchise Verification Fee;
- Settlement of Impounded Vehicles;
- Settlement of Clamped Vehicles (Impounded/Not Impounded); and
- Settlement of Traffic Citation Ticket Only (Not Impounded).
Oplan Madiyaw Travel
“Oplan Madiyaw Travel” is an operation carried out by the CTTMD to ensure road safety and discipline among motorists in Butuan City. It is implemented together with the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) of the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO).
According to the CTTMD, some of the most common traffic violations found during Oplan Madiyaw Travel were: not using seatbelt, driving without a license, lack of side mirrors, and defective tail light/brake light/signal light.
Violations and Penalties
Based on City Ordinance No. 7026-2023 or the “Butuan City Transportation and Traffic Management Code,” here are some of the city’s traffic violations and their corresponding penalties:
- Jaywalking/Crossing Roads Not Designated as Pedestrian Crossing – PHP 100 or 2 hours community service
- Obstruction to Traffic – PHP 1,000
- Driving Through Roundabouts or Rotundas – PHP 1,000
- Driving in Bicycle/Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) Lanes – PHP 1,000
- Driving in Reserved Lanes – PHP 1,000
- Tailgating – PHP 1,000
- Driving or Parking on Sidewalk – PHP 1,000
- Not Giving Way at Intersection – PHP 1,000
- Not Giving Way During Turns – PHP 1,000
- Not Giving Way to Emergency Vehicles – PHP 1,000
- Parking, Waiting, or Standing in Prohibited Areas – PHP 1,000
- Not Stopping at Special Stops – PHP 1,000
- Violations on Lighting, Warning Signs, Equipment, Etc. – PHP 1,000
- Dimming of Headlights – PHP 1,000
- Flashing Waning Lamps – PHP 1,000
- Mufflers and Noise Controlling Devices – PHP 1,000
- Tinted Glass Prohibition – PHP 1,000
- Horn Regulation – PHP 1,000
- Garbage Container Requirement – PHP 1,000
- Mandatory use of Seatbelts – PHP 1,000
- Children on Front Seat – PHP 1,000
- Operators Allowing Drivers to Drive Tricyle-for-hire Without Driver’s ID – PHP 1,000
- Violation on Child on Board a Motorcycle – PHP 1,000
- Non-payment of Parking Fees – PHP 1,000
- Failure to Give Way to Police, Fire Department Vehicles, or Ambulances – PHP 1,000
- Violating Speed Limits – PHP 1,500
- Violating Operating Rule on One-way Streets – PHP 1,500
- Violation on No Right Turn/No Left Turn/No U Turn – PHP 1,500
- Failure to Give Proper Turn/Stop Signals – PHP 1,500
- Parking on Parade Routes and on Any Special Occasion – PHP 1,500
- Driving Without a License – PHP 1,500
- Driver’s License Restriction not Aligned with Specific Type of Motor Vehicle Being Driven – PHP 1,500
- Failure to Carry Driver’s License – PHP 1,500
- Expired Driver’s License – PHP 1,500
- Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt Not Carried – PHP 1,500
- Smoking Inside a Public Utility Vehicle (Driver or Passenger) – PHP 1,500
- Student Driver Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Being Accompanied by a Licensed Driver – PHP 1,500
- Posting or Display of Fake/Unauthorized IDs, Sticker, etc. – PHP 1,500
- Road Unworthiness of Motor Vehicle – PHP 1,500
- No or Defective Brakes – PHP 1,500
- No or Defective Signal Lights/Tail Lights/Headlights/Stop Lights – PHP 1,500
- No or Defective Wipers/Side Mirrors – PHP 1,500
- Putting Harmful Objects on a Road – PHP 1,500
- Colorum – PHP 1,500 or 3 hours community service
- Violation on Smoke Belching Emission Test – PHP 2,000
- Exceeding Gross Weight, Axle, and Weight Loads – PHP 3,000
- Projecting Loads on Passenger Vehicles – PHP 3,000
- Loads not Properly Secured – PHP 3,000
- Refusal to have Vehicles Weighed and/or Remove Excess Load – PHP 3,000
- Violation of Restriction or Limits in the Use of Bridge – PHP 3,000
- Reckless and Dangerous Driving – PHP 3,000
- Driving a Motor Vehicle While Under Influence of Liquor or Incapacitating Drugs – PHP 3,000
- Illegal Drag Racing/Speed Contest – PHP 5,000
Video: Don’t Drink and Drive!
The Butuan CTTMD often posts creative reminders on traffic rules and road safety. One example is this animation video about the dangers of driving while under the influence of liquor:
Contact Information: Butuan CTTMD
Questions, concerns, and other messages for the Butuan CTTMD may be addressed to the following contact details:
Address: 1st Floor JC Aquino Sr Multi-purpose Training Center, Libertad Sports Complex, Brgy. Libertad, Butuan City , Butuan City, Philippines
Telephone: 0961 998 2079
Email: cttmd@butuan.gov.ph
Website: https://www.butuan.gov.ph/land-transportation-and-traffic-management-office/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ButuanCTTMD/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
As Butuan continues to develop as a highly urbanized city, traffic management and road safety are very important. It’s a good thing that the CTTMD was created to take care of these matters.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, similar road authorities have been established, as well. One of these is the Batangas City Transportation Development Regulatory Office (TDRO).