Just as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) manages various development and transportation-related services within Metro Manila, the City of Iloilo has a counterpart agency.
When it comes to transportation and traffic management, it’s the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) that’s in charge. It was established to address the rising number of road and traffic-related crimes and incidents in Iloilo City.
What is ICTMU?
The Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) was created fairly recently — November 2023 to be exact. The creation of this unit was approved and authorized through Executive Order (EO) No. 152.
According to the EO, there was a need to create the ICTMU to assist in the efficient implementation and effective enforcement of traffic-related laws, executive issuances, and ordinances in Iloilo City.
The EO cited the “rampant and widespread” road and traffic-related crimes and incidents in the city. These include cases of extortion, illegal parking in bicycle lanes, and of course… traffic congestion. Moreover, the Iloilo City Police Office’s Traffic Enforcement Unit logged more than 700 road accidents from January to Apriil 2023.
Roles of ICTMU
Since its establishment, the ICTMU serves as the primary unit for transportation management and traffic regulation in Iloilo City. It is not separated from the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO).
Established in 2017, the PSTMO was the unit that was previously responsible for three operations: transportation management, public, public safety, and anti-squatting and illegal structures. With around 600 personnel, it is among the biggest departments of the City Government of Iloilo.
Clusters Under ICTMU
As for the ICTMU, its personnel are organized into several clusters, namely: Administration, Administration for Supply and Finance, Engineering and Logistics, Internal Affairs, Legal, Operations, Media Affairs, Planning and Training, Traffic Management and Enforcement, plus Transport and Traffic Management Adjudication Board.
Notably, these clusters and personnel are under the direct management and supervision of the Iloilo City Mayor’s Office.
To ensure effective implementation of all traffic-related ordinances, the ICTMU works in coordination with the Iloilo City Polic Office (ICPO) when it comes to traffic management and enforcement operations. The ICPO provides eight deputized personnel to help augment the ICTMU’s daily traffic and operational activities.
News and Updates
Meanwhile, here are the latest news and updates regarding the activities and operations of the ICTMU.
“Heatstroke Break” for Traffic Enforcers
During the heat of summer, traffic enforcers in Iloilo City were allowed to observe a “heatstroke break” as they perform their duties while being exposed to extreme heat, according to a news report by the Philippine News Agency.
It may be recalled that throughout this summer, the city had been experiencing high heat index, with figures reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius and higher. This prompted the local government to suspend face-to-face classes and Monday flag-raising ceremonies.
Hence, during a media interview last May 20, 2024, ICTMU head Uldarico Garbanzos stated that traffic enforcers were urged to take a “heatstroke break” to cool down and hydrate.
“They should break to rehydrate because of too much heat,” he said. “We always remind them to bring water to prevent complications.”
Between noon and 4:00 p.m., traffic enforcers were not expected to always be visible in the middle of the streets, unless there were accidents or traffic congestion.
“For that period, they are just beside the streets so they won’t suffer from heatwaves,” the ICTMU head explained.
Enhanced Local Public Transport Route Plan
On May 27, 2024, the City Government of Iloilo went full swing with the implementation of the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP), which covers 17 rationalized and eight developmental or new routes, the Philippine News Agency reported.
The LPTRP happens to be a requirement of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) of the national government. Under this program, local government units (LGUs) are tasked to determine their transportation routes and franchises.
“In coordination with the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) and LTO (Land Transportation Office), we will start with our enforcement operation today,” stated ICTMU head Uldarico Garbanzos. “We have selected traffic inspection areas to determine if those plying routes are all consolidated units.”
According to Garbanzos, unless a vehicle has documents showing that it is allowed to operate, it may be considered as “colorum.” He also said that through stickers provided by the ICTMU, they can immediately identify consolidated traditional jeepneys.
The ICTMU is also implementing a color-coding scheme for each route for easy identification of vehicles.
Transport Agreement on Public Utility Jeepneys
On June 7, 2024, the City and Provincial governments of Iloilo formalized a transport agreement, which allowed a certain percentage of consolidated public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from the first towns to enter Iloilo City, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Under the agreement, 40 percent of consolidated first-town PUJs may enter Iloilo City during peak hours on weekdays — from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and from 4:30 p.m. until 12 midnight. On the other hand, only 25 percent are allowed during off peak hours.
On weekends, 40 percent of consolidated first-town PUJs may enter Iloilo City during Saturdays (whole day), and 100 percent may enter during Sundays and holidays.
In addition, the agreement prohibits first-town PUJs from loading passengers while inbound to their point of destination. However, outbound PUJs may pick up passengers in designated loading and unloading areas.
Through these changes, the operation of the LPTRP of the Provincial Government and the enhanced plan of the Iloilo City Government are “harmonized.”
Latest Activities of ICTMU
Meanwhile, the following latest activities were also carried out by the ICTMU, based on the unit’s official Facebook page.
On Saturday, July 20, ICTMU personnel and personnel from the City Engineers Office attended the Traffic Signal System Training, covering topics like Traffic Management System, Fundamentals of Traffic Control System, IP-based LED Equipment and Systems, and Weigh-in-Motion (WIM). The seminar was timely held, especially since new traffic lights have just been installed in Iloilo City.
Likewise, regular activities were also done, including: clearing operations, checking for drivers’ licenses and OR-CR of motor vehicles on July 20; and operations against on-road parking on July 22. These activities were carried out by the ICTMU together with personnel from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Highway Patrol Groud (HPG).
More recently, on July 23, the ICTMU joined a meeting called by the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (ICTTMO). The meeting tackled preparations for the opening of classes on July 29. During the meeting, traffic enforcers were assigned to different schools across the city. Deployment plans for rush hours (morning and afternoon) were also discussed.
Contact Information: ICTMU
For questions and concerns regarding traffic and transportation in Iloilo City, you can get in touch with the ICTMU through their contact details below. Note that the ICTMU is located in the Old Iloilo City District Engineering Office.
Address: Fort San Pedro, Old Iloilo City District Engineering Office
Telephone: 333-1851
Email: iloilocomwelfare@gmail.com
Website: http://www.iloilocity.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Iloilo-City-Traffic-Management-Unit-61554139828177/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
A highly urbanized area such as Iloilo City will undoubtedly experience traffic congestion, illegal parking, accidents, and other transport-related incidents. Fortunately, the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) is ever present to ensure that traffic runs smoothly, while accidents and other incidents are minimized.
In other cities, there are specific agencies that manage traffic and transportation systems as well. There’s the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) in Cebu, and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) in Davao City.