The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) is the main government agency dedicated to managing and regulating transport affairs in Cebu City. It manages the traffic flow smoothly and efficiently, using various strategies and technologies to reduce congestion and improve road safety.
The CCTO works with city and national agencies to develop traffic management plans, enforce rules, and educate on road safety, aiming to create a safer and more organized transportation environment in the city of Cebu.
Image Credit: Cebu City Transportation Office / Facebook
Overview
Although the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is responsible for all land transportation in the country, there are cities that have its own transport-related agencies, as well. These agencies oversee traffic enforcement and ensure road safety in their respective areas.
In Cebu City, for instance, there’s the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO). Together with other local agencies, the CCTO helps to manage the traffic and overall transport system in this city.
Vision, Mission, and Goal
The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) operates in line with the vision of the city government, which is to make Cebu City “the most livable city of all.”
Likewise, the CCTO adheres to the city government’s mission, which is to: (a) ensure an environmentally friendly, financially dynamic, pro-active, and self-reliant city government; and (b) have well-informed and participative barangays and communities.
The main goal of the CCTO is to provide world-class traffic management service to the general public and other neighboring cities and municipalities.
Services Offered by CCTO
The main services offered by the CCTO are as follows: (a) Provision of modern traffic facilities; (b) Conduct of continuous traffic education; (c) Impartial enforcement of traffic laws and regulations; and (d) Upgrading of quality enforcement with competent traffic personnel.
Meanwhile, other services offered by the agency include: Night patrol, Towing operations, Trisikad operations, Task Force Franchise, Impounding operations, Anti-jaywalking operations, Anti-dispatching operations, Overnight parking operations, Motorcycle for hire operations, Anti-smoke belching operations, and Clamping of illegally parked vehicles.
History and Legal Basis
The legal basis for the CCTO goes back to October 19, 1987, when the Cebu City Traffic Management Coordination Committee (CITOM) was created through the enactment of City Ordinance No. 1264
At that time, Cebu City’s transport capacity had begun to experience “severe strain.” There was an urgent need to enhance and coordinate the existing agencies responsible for transportation and traffic. In other words, it became necessary to establish a body that would coordinate national and local efforts addressing traffic congestion and the use of limited road space. This body would be in charge of planning, designing, and implementing transport-related programs, projects and police. Hence, the CITOM — and eventually the CTTO — were established.
Objectives of CITOM Board
Generally speaking, the main goal of the CITOM Board is “to make Cebu City an orderly urban locality with a comprehensive, measurable, and sustainable Traffic Management Plan coordinated by the united efforts of all agencies concerned.”
In addition, the CITOM Board also aims to: (a) Enforce traffic laws in order to maintain road user discipline in the city; (b) Educate road users in the comprehension, observance, and use of traffic signs, signal devices and controls; (c) Provide infrastructure support to create a safe and efficient city road network; and (d) Assist city legislators in drafting new laws and ordinances regarding traffic management.
Functions of CITOM
With regard to the CITOM’s functions, these are as follows:
- To coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the planning and implementation of traffic management components undertaken by the various departments of the city government and other line agencies;
- To review and approve all traffic management engineering schemes prior to the City Council’s exercise of its administration functions as defined in Section 1, Article III of City Ordinance No. 801, series of 1972, otherwise known as the “Traffic Code of the City of Cebu;“
- To recommend to the City Council the routing of common carriers operating in Cebu City in so far as it forms part of a comprehensive traffic management scheme;
- To develop and prescribe rules and procedures for internal operation and management;
- To submit to the City Mayor periodic and special reports relative to traffic management activities; and
- To perform other functions as may be necessary to ensure the effective planning and implementation of traffic management schemes.
Image Credit: Cebu City Transportation Office / Facebook
Other Related Agencies
While the CITOM is the overall committee and the CCTO provides transport-related services — these work together with other agencies in Cebu City, namely: the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council), the Cebu City Traffic Engineering Division, the Metro Cebu Traffic Engineering and Management (MCTEAM), the Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Cebu City Traffic Division.
Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council). Since the Local Government Code was enacted in 1987, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) of Cebu City has been involved in the following: (a) regulation of the use of streets and other public places; (b) establishment of Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) stops and terminals; (c) regulation of garages and the operation of conveyances for hire; and (d) designation of stands to be occupied by public vehicles when not in queue.
Cebu City Traffic Engineering Division. The enactment of City Ordinance No. 1265 in 1987 created the Cebu City Traffic Engineering Division unde the City Engineer’s Office. The initial functions of this Division included: (a) maintenance of the then existing traffic signal equipment; (b) preparation of traffic management plans as basis for the installation of traffic signs and application of pavement markings; and (c) conduct of traffic studies to update existing traffic management measures.
Metro Cebu Traffic Engineering and Management (MCTEAM). On June 6, 1989, the City of Cebu and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding the installation of a Computerized Traffic Signal System. This led to the creation of the Metro Cebu Traffic Engineering and Management (MCTEAM), which is the agency that would implement the computerized system.
Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS). In 1990, installation of the Computerized Traffic Signal System was awarded to AWA Traffic and Information System, an Australian firm. Thus, the Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) was adapted. Operating in real time, this system adjusts signal timings throughout the system, in response to variations in traffic demand and system capacity.
Philippine National Police (PNP) – Cebu City Traffic Division. Since 1988 up to the present, the Cebu City Traffic Division of the PNP has been responsible for traffic enforcement.
Contact Information: Cebu City Transport Office
If you have any questions or concerns regarding transportation and traffic management in the city, you can get in touch with the Cebu City Transport Office (CCTO) through the following contact details:
Address: Lot 4 and 5, Cebu South Coastal Rd, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu
Telephone: 0917 722 2344
Email: citomoffice@gmail.com
Website: https://www.cebucity.gov.ph/cebu-city-transportation-office/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCTOofficial/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
Just like Metro Manila, a highly urbanized area such as Cebu City requires an effective traffic management system. Fortunately, the CCTO, along with other transport-related agencies, is there to reduce traffic congestion while ensuring road safety for everyone!
Speaking of transport agencies, are you familiar with the roles and functions of the LTO, LTFRB, MMDA, and other bodies? Check out this article to learn more about each agency.