General Santos is a first class, highly urbanized city in the region of SOCCSKSARGEN, Philippines. Often called “GenSan,” it also happens to be the hometown of Manny Pacquiao, outstanding Filipino athlete and one of the greatest boxers in the world!
With almost 700,000 people as of 2020, General Santos is the most populated city in the region. Common means of transportation include tricycles, jeepneys, buses, public utility vans, and taxis. Similar to how the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) manages transportation in Manila, the City Transportation and Traffic Management Department (CTTMD) does the same in GenSan.
What is the CTTMD?
The City Transportation and Traffic Management Department (CTTMD) is part of the Public Safety Office of the General Santos City Government. This offices generally focuses on: transportation, traffic engineering, and traffic management; disaster risk reduction and management; and public safety and security.
Vision and Mission
As part of the Public Safety Office, the CTTMD adheres to the following vision and mission:
Vision. “The Public Safety Office shall be a model of excellence, integrity, and accountability that has earned the trust, confidence, and respect of the community that thrives with comprehensive and progressive public safety services.”
Mission. “To plan and conceptualize programs that will improve the city’s traffic flow, to provide effective transport and traffic management, to facilitate franchising of motorized tricycles, to strengthen disaster risk reduction and management system, to protect and secure government facilities, and to promote public safety and security.”
Sections and Functions
According to the official website of the Public Safety Office, the CTTMD is in charge of managing and supervising two sections, the Motorized Tricycle Permitting Section, and the Operation and Enforcement Section.
Motorized Tricycle Permitting Section
The functions of this section are as follows:
- To administer the operation of all tricycles, whether for public or private use, within the city;
- To assess, facilitate, and submit applications for tricycle franchise or Motorized Tricycles Operator’s Permit (MTOP) to the Public Safety Officer for appropriate action;
- To inspect, assess, and determine the road worthiness of the tricycle-for-hire and recommend to the Public Safety Officer for appropriate action the issuance of MTOP for the tricycle-for-hire;
- To investigate matters involving the suspension and cancellation and/or issuance of CPC and MTOP, and recommend the same to the Public Safety Officer for appropriate action;
- To post approved applications for franchise or MTOP in all identified areas and conspicuous places;
- To collate, maintain, and secure records pertaining to the operation of tricycles-for-hire within the city;
- To recommend the issuance, amendment, revision, renewal, suspension, or cancellation of MTOP to the Public Safety Officer for appropriate action;
- To conduct extensive research and study pertaining to fixation, imposition, collection and periodic review, and adjustment of reasonable fares, fees, and other related charges in the regulation of tricycles-for-hire and submit the same to the Public Safety Officer for appropriate action;
- To post the received applications for MTOP in a conspicuous place and at the Sangguniang Panlungsod website;
- To post the approved application for MTOP in a conspicuous place and at the Sangguniang Panlungsod website;
- To release the approved MTOP;
- To maintain the computerized database and other records pertaining to the operation and issuance of MTOP to MTHs; and
- To do other related functions that are necessary for the smooth and effective delivery of the tricycle transport services.
Operation and Enforcement Section
The functions of this section are:
- To assist and coordinate with other authorized government entities in administering traffic operation, management and control;
- To formulate guidelines relating to transport mobility, traffic control and regulations, and movement of persons and goods, and submit the same to the Public Safety Officer for evaluation and assessment;
- To conduct trainings, seminars, and conferences on traffic control, and adopt possible measures that are deemed necessary in traffic operation and management;
- To coordinate and establish linkages with other government agencies and private sector concerned with activities and efforts related to transport, mobility and traffic;
- To implement and enforce traffic laws and ordinances in coordination with other agencies of the government;
- To issue traffic citation tickets and apprehend traffic violators pursuant to the city traffic ordinances and other relative laws;
- To prepare and submit reports regarding traffic violations and other related incidents;
- To enforce and administer temporary road closures, excavations, motorcades, and other activities requesting rerouting and closure that will affect traffic flow;
- To appear at hearings of the LTFRB to ensure that the issuance of permits of public convenience is consistent with the plans and program of the city; and
- To perform other duties and functions as directed by the Public Safety Officer.
Violations and Penalties
Based on the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of General Santos City, here is a list of common traffic violations and fines:
- Following emergency vehicle – PHP 500
- Not giving way to emergency vehicles – PHP 500
- Display of dazzling lights – PHP 500
- Disobedience to traffic signals and instructions – PHP 500
- Non-dimming of headlights – PHP 500
- Violating restrictions on overtaking and passing – PHP 500
- Obstructing traffic – PHP 500
- Not giving way at intersection – PHP 500
- Not giving way during turns – PHP 500
- Violating speed limits – PHP 500
- Loading/Unloading of passengers of PUJ in an undesignated zone – PHP 500
- Violation on distracted driving – PHP 500
- Not wearing appropriate driver’s attire – PHP 500
- Violation on mandatory use of seatbelts – PHP 500
- Non-production of LTO-issued driver’s license – PHP 500
- Non-production of vehicle registration document – PHP 500
- Improper use of horns, etc. – PHP 500
- Modification of muffler on motorcycle – PHP 500
- Driving through funeral or other processions – PHP 500
- Driver guilty of misdemeanor – PHP 500
- Children sitting in the front seat – PHP 500
- Motorcycle rider carrying a child – PHP 1,000
- Violating operating rule on one-way streets – PHP 1,500
- Reckless and dangerous driving – PHP 1,500
- Speed contest – PHP 2,000
- Driving a motor vehicle while under influence of liquor or incapacitating drugs – PHP 5,000
- Truck ban, non-complying buses and jeepneys – PHP 5,000
Contact Information: Public Safety Office
If you have any questions or concerns for the CTTMD, you can address these to the Public Safety office through the following contact details:
Address: 2nd Floor General Santos City Training Center, Roxas East Avenue, General Santos City, Philippines
Telephone: (083) 877 2479
Email: psolgugensan@gmail.com
Website: https://gsqms.infoadvance.com.ph/public-safety-office/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pso.gensanlgu/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
The City Transportation and Traffic Management Department (CTTMD) helps to ensure the smooth flow of traffic within General Santos, while keeping motorists and pedestrians safe, as well.
In other parts of the country, there are road authorities with similar functions as the CTTMD. In Caloocan, Metro Manila, for instance, there’s the Public Safety and Traffic Management Department.