Santa Rosa is home to many industrial and business establishments, schools, malls, and leisure attractions such as the Enchanted Kingdom theme park. With almost 415,000 people as of 2020, it is the second largest local government unit in Laguna, after Calamba.
Like most cities in the Philippines, buses, jeepneys, and tricycles are the most common means of public transportation in Santa Rosa. And just as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) manages traffic and other transport-related concerns in the National Capital Region, the City Traffic Management and Enforcement Unit (CTMEU) does the same for Santa Rosa.
What is the Santa Rosa CTMEU?
The City Traffic Management and Enforcement Unit (CTMEU) is the government unit that manages the flow of traffic within Santa Rosa. Working under the Office of the Mayor and directly supervised by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the unit is also in charge of enforcing traffic rules and ensuring road safety for everyone.
Frontline Services
In addition to managing traffic and implementing traffic rules, the CTMEU also provides several frontline services, as mentioned in the Citizen’s Charter of the Santa Rosa City Government.
Among these services are traffic assistance, issuance/renewal of Traffic Citation Ticket (TCT), release of impounded vehicles, issuance of general utilities permit, and traffic adjudication or complaint resolution.
When filing a complaint, the complainant needs to fill up the Feedback Complaint Form with the following details: full name and contact information of the complainant; narrative account of the complaint and pieces of evidence; and name of the person being complained about.
Received complaints will be processed by the Investigative Officer (IO) of the CTMEU. He/She evaluates and determines the complaint, coordinates with the personnel concerned, and conducts an investigation. An incident report is then sent to the Head of the CTMEU for appropriate action, and the IO provides feedback to the complainant via email.
Traffic Advisories
Everyday, the Santa Rosa CTMEU provides traffic updates through its official Facebook page. It gives a description of the traffic status (i.e. light, moderate, heavy) in the city’s main thoroughfares. In cases of typhoons, flooding, and other natural calamities, the unit also issues updates on whether or not roads are passable.
Furthermore, the CTMEU issued traffic advisories whenever there’s a road accident/incident, and also when there’s going to be a road construction/rehabilitation, street parade, religious procession, or other activities that would affect the flow of traffic in the city.
Accidents/Incidents
Last July 2022, for example, there was a vehicular accident along National Road, near Robinson’s Mall. A utility post had been knocked down, which affected traffic in the area. The City Government immediately coordinated with the utility company for removal of the post, while the CTMEU managed the traffic flow.
Construction/Rehabilitation
In the same year, on February 4, a traffic advisory was issued regarding the one-way traffic scheme that was implemented on Leon C. Arcillas Boulevard at Barangay Tagapo-Kanluran. The scheme was done to give way to the “Widening of LCA Bridge at Barangay Tagapo-Kanluran” City Government Project.
To help manage traffic flow on that day, the CTMEU provided alternative traffic re-routing schemes. Vehicles from National Highway going to “Santa Rosa Bayan” were urged to use the normal route going to Barangay Kanluran. Meanwhile, vehicles from Santa Rosa Bayan going to National Higway were re-routed to Tiongco Subdivision going to LCA Boulevard.
Meanwhile, last September 4, 2023, a traffic advisory was issued regarding the “Road Reblocking” on Dita-Malitlit Road. Motorists were urged to avoid the area or take alternative routes.
Special Occasions
More recently, the CTMEU released a traffic advisory, this time about the Glamorosa Pride March that was held last July 6, 2024. Motorists were cautioned about heavy traffic in the places were the parade took place, namely: Robinsons Place Santa Rosa until Caltex Tagapo; J.P. Rizal Boulevard/Caltex Tagapo until City Plaza; and F. Gomez St./City Plaza until Leon Arcillas Boulevard. They were also advised to take alternative routes as necessary.
In the same month, several roads were closed on July 10, 2024 to give way to a Parade and Streetdancing Competition, which were part of the Sikhayan Festival celebrations. The following roads were temporarily closed for the occasion: from F. Reyes Talipapa, Barangay Balibago to City Plaza (starting 6:00 am); and F. Gomez to Leon Arcillas Boulevard (starting 7:30 am). The CTMEU requested for everyone’s understanding and cooperation regarding the road closures for the festivities.
Laws and Ordinances
Like other towns and cities across the country, Santa Rosa follows a traffic code, which includes both national laws and local ordinances. Among these are laws on anti-distracted walking and crossing of streets, mandatory use of standard helmets by motorcycles riders, and prohibition of children to ride on the backs of tricycles.
Anti-Distracted Walking and Crossing of Streets
Ordinance No. 2147-2020 is also known as the “Anti-Distracted Pedestrian Ordinance” in the City of Santa Rose. This ordinance prohibits pedestrians from using mobile devices, mobile accessories, and other distracting devices and items while walking and crossing public streets and sidewalks in Santa Rosa.
Mandatory Use of Helmets by Motorcycle Riders
Republic Act 10054 or “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009” is a national law that requires all motorcycle riders to wear standard helmets while driving. Violators will be penalized as follows: PHP 1,500 (first offense); PHP 3,000 (second offense); PHP 5,000 (third offense); and PHP 10,000 plus confiscation of driver’s license (fourth and succeeding offenses).
Aside motorcycle drivers, backriders (or “angkas”) are also required to wear helmets, which is a necessary tool that can protect both drivers and backriders while riding.
Prohibition of Children to Ride on Backs of Tricycles
Ordinance No. 1363-2004 is an ordinance that prohibits children aged 11 years old and below from riding on the backs of tricycles or behind tricycle drivers. This law applies to both public and private use tricycles in the City of Santa Rosa.
Lost and Found
In addition to managing traffic, providing frontline services, and issuing traffic advisories, the CTMEU has also become a “Lost and Found” office where people who have left items in public vehicles — as well as drivers who have found items in theirs — can come! In fact, the office has helped many people recover their items!
Contact Information: Santa Rosa CTMEU
If you have any questions or concerns for the Santa Rosa CTMEU, you can get in touch with them through the following contact details:
Address: 130 F. Gomez St, Barangay Kanluran Santa Rosa, 4026 Laguna
Telephone: (049) 530 0015 local 1030 / 0951 715 0189
Email: ctmeotrafficsantarosa@gmail.com
Website: https://santarosacity.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santarosa.CTMEU
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
As one of the most populated cities in Laguna, it is not surprising that Santa Rosa needs to manage traffic almost daily. Thanks to the City Traffic Management and Enforcement Unit (CTMEU), motorists and pedestrians can look forward to having a smooth flow of traffic!
Meanwhile, there are similar road authorities in other parts of the province. Among them is the San Pablo City Traffic Management Office (CTMO). Visit this article to know more about it!