Cagayan de Oro is the capital of Misamis Oriential province; it also happens to be the business hub of Northern Mindanao. With more than 728,000 people as of 2020, it is the most populated city in the region, and the 10th most populated city in the whole country.
Often referred to as “CDO,” the city is highly urbanized, with lots of buildings and infrastructure. As for public transport, there are motorelas (tricycles), jeepneys, taxis, vans, and even trisikads (pedicabs). Transportation is managed by the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA), which is quite similar to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
What is the Roads and Traffic Administration?
The Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) is the office designated by the Cagayan de Oro City Government to carry out traffic management, planning, engineering, enforcement, and education activities.
Vision and Mission
In line with the goals of the city government itself, the RTA’s vision is to “take a lead to make Cagayan de Oro attractive to stakeholders.” Meanwhile, its mission is to “make the city streets orderly, rid the roads and sidewalks of obstructions, and maintain a positive attitude among stakeholders.”
Programs and Services
The RTA regularly provides traffic alerts and advisories to residents and motorists of CDO. It also has a Facebook page for educating and informing the public about transportation matters.
Traffic Alerts. From time to time, the RTA issues traffic alerts on its Facebook page, informing the public when there’s slow-moving or heavy traffic due to an accident, flooding, or other incidents.
Traffic Advisories. When there’s a parade, procession, or other events, the RTA releases a traffic advisories. It also suggests alternate routes that motorists can use during these occasions.
Public Education and Information. The RTA has an official Facebook page that specifically focuses on educating and informing the public about traffic laws, rules, and regulations.
Violations and Penalties
Meanwhile, here’s a list of some of the traffic violations and their corresponding penalties, as stated in City Ordinance No. 10551-2007, the “Traffic Code of the City of Cagayan de Oro.” This is also known as the city’s Road Use Traffic Plan.
Violations in Connection with Licenses
- Failure to sign driver’s license – PHP 500
- Driving without a license – PHP 1,500
- Expired driver’s license – PHP 1,500
- Failure to carry driver’s license – PHP 1,500
- Failure to show or surrender license – PHP 1,500
- Student driver operating a motor vehicle without being accompanied by a licensed driver – PHP 1,500
- Allowing unlicensed/improperly licensed person to drive – PHP 1,500
- Allowing another person to use your license – PHP 1,500
- Driving with a delinquent, invalid, suspended, ineffectual, or revoked license – PHP 1,500
- Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a crime – PHP 1,500
Violations in Connection with Motor Vehicle Registration
- Certificate of registration and official receipt not carried – PHP 500
- Operating/allowing the operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended/revoked certificate of registration – PHP 1,500
- Unregistered/improperly registered/delinquent or invalid registration – PHP 1,500
- Violations in Connection with Plates and Stickers
- Expired commemorative plates/stickers – PHP 500
- Unauthorized or improvised number plates – PHP 500
- Plates are made to appear as registered to operate or “for hire” – PHP 500
- Illegal use of commemorative plates without proper authority – PHP 1,000
- Illegal transfer of plates, tags, or stickers – PHP 1,500
- Illegal transfer and use of plates/tags or stickers in the commission of a crime – PHP 5,000
Violations Related to Motor Vehicle Parts, Accessories, and Markings
- Defective or broken handbrakes/horn/windshield – PHP 500
- Glaring front or rear body parts and/or sporting dazzling accessories – PHP 500
- Improper horn or signaling device (exceptionally loud, startling, or disagreeable) – PHP 500
- Defective Brakes – PHP 1,500
- No or defective headlights/taillights – PHP 1,500
- Operating vehicle with tinted front side gkass windows and windshield – PHP 1,500
- Violations Related to “For Hire” Motor Vehicles
- Defective equipment (not roadworthy) – PHP 500
- No body number on vehicle – PHP 500
- No capacity markings – PHP 500
- No garbage receptacle – PHP 500
- No name of operator and plate number inside passenger cab – PHP 500
- No name/business name and address on vehicle – PHP 500
- No red flag or red lights on projecting load – PHP 500
- No spare tire – PHP 500
- Unauthorized bell, siren, or exhaust whistle – PHP 500
- Use of slippers or sleeveless shirts when driving a “for hire” vehicle – PHP 500
- Failure to post signage instructing passengers to wear seat belts – PHP 600 (Driver – PHP 300, Operator – PHP 300)
- Any infraction to retrofit with/install required seat belt/anchorage/seat orientation as prescribed – PHP 1,000
- Operating without Mayor’s Permit – PHP 1,000
- Illegal installation or playing of car stereo – PHP 1,500
- Out of Line/Operating outside authorized route – PHP 1,500
Parking Violations
- Double Parking – PHP 1,500
- Parking at any place where official “no parking signs” are posted – PHP 1,500
- Parking in front of a private driveway – PHP 1,500
- Parking on a crosswalk/sidewalk – PHP 1,500
Prohibited or Illegal Operation
- Colorum operation – PHP 1,500 (Driver – PHP 500, Operator – PHP 1,000)
- Colorum operation or private use despite suspended CR – PHP 1,500
Other Violations
- No helmet when driving or riding a motorcycle – PHP 500
- Allowing a passenger to ride on top or on the cover of a vehicle – PHP 500
- Driving tricycle/motorela in national road – PHP 500
- Smoke belching – PHP 1,000
- Blocking an intersection or free turn right lane – PHP 1,500
- Cutting an overtaken vehicle – PHP 1,500
- Disregarding traffic signs – PHP 1,500
- Driving against traffic – PHP 1,500
- Driving while under the influence of liquor or prohibited drugs – PHP 1,500
- Failure to give proper turn/stop signals – PHP 1,500
- Failure to give way to police, fire department vehicles, or ambulances – PHP 1,500
- Failure to wear the prescribed seat belt and/or failure to require passengers to wear prescribed seat belt – PHP 1,500
- Illegal left turn/right turn/overtaking – PHP 1, 500
- Obstruction to traffic – PHP 1,500
- Over speeding – PHP 1,500
- Reckless driving – PHP 1,500
- Drag racing/Speed contest – PHP 1,500
Contact Information: CDO Roads and Traffic Administration
For questions and concerns regarding transportation and traffic management, you can get in touch with the RTA through the following contact details:
Address: City Engineer’s Office Compound, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental
Telephone: (088) 858 2841 / 0906 964 1092
Email: rta@cagayandeoro.gov.ph / rta.adservdivision@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Roads-and-Traffic-Administration-230952617074690/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
In a highly urbanized city such as Cagayan de Oro, traffic management is a must to ensure smooth and orderly transportation. Thanks to the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA), this can be achieved!
Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, other areas have their own road authorities, as well. In Butuan, for example, there’s the City Transportation and Traffic Management Department (CTTMD).