Tacloban is a highly urbanized city in the Eastern Visayas Region. Situated on the island province of Leyte, the city has a population of more than 251,800 people as of 2020. It also happens to be the regional center of Eastern Visayas.
Although Talcoban City if geographically located in Leyte, it is administered and governed independently from the province. When it comes to public transportation, the most common means are jeepneys, multicabs, buses, tricycles, and pedicabs. Traffic is overseen by the city’s Traffic Operation, Management, Enforcement, and Control Office (TOMECO), whose functions are quite similar to those of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in Manila.
What is TOMECO?
The Traffic Operation, Management, Enforcement, and Control Office (TOMECO) is the government unit responsible for managing traffic and enforcing traffic rules and regulations in Tacloban City.
Vision and Mission
Based on the city’s official website, Tacloban is envisioned to be: “A globally competitive, green and resilient city, propelled by God-loving, gender responsive leaders and empowered citizenry.”
Guided by this vision, the city’s missions are as follows:
- “To be an agri-industrial park and strategic hub for educational excellence in Eastern Visayas;
- To achieve competent human capital in a secured, well balanced environment;
- To preserve the cultural heritage and unique identity of the city;
- To ensure access to social services and economic opportunities; and
- To attain a God-loving, healthy and empowered citizenry through a transparent, gender-responsive, and inspiring governance.”
Services Offered
Aside from traffic Management and implementation of traffic rules, TOMECO provides the following services as stated by the Citizen’s Charter of the Tacloban City Government:
Inspection, Clearance, Payout of Violations
As part of ensuring that traffic rules are followed, the TOMECO monitors traffic, apprehends violators, and sees to it that the penalties for traffic violations are settled before giving clearance.
Towing and Impounding
The towing and impounding of vehicles, be it due to an accident and/or a traffic violation, is done through the TOMECO’s Traffic Facilities and Management Division.
Public Assistance Desk
The TOMECO, through its Support Services Division, provides public assistance in relation to its various programs/services.
Complaint Desk
Anyone who has a complaint regarding traffic apprehension, traffic enforcement personnel, or other services — may submit a complaint to TOMECO through its Support Services Division.
Traffic Advisories
The TOMECO issues traffic updates regularly, informing motorists about the flow of traffic on Tacloban City’s main thoroughfares. The office also posts traffic advisories in its Facebook page, especially when there are accidents/incidents, road construction and rehabilitation, and special events/occasions.
Accidents/Incidents
Last May 2023, for example, there were several vehicular accidents at a construction site along Maharlika Highway, across the entrance to Villa Mayor. Apparently, a lack of early warning signs had caused accidents, involving an Nmax and a Wigo.
Personnel from the TOMECO as well as the City General Services Office (CGSO) went to the site to conduct as inspection. They recommended the putting up of reflectors, strobe lights, and additional barriers around 100 meters away from the site, to serve as early warning signs to motorists.
Meanwhile, in July 23, the TOMECO Traffic Engineering Team once again responded to a vehicular accident, this time at Bypass Road. The team also provided traffic assistance in the said location.
Construction and Rehabilitation
Whenever there’s a road construction or rehabilitation project, the TOMECO announces a traffic advisory beforehand. For instance, before July 1, 2022 — it announced the closure of Congressman Mate Avenue due to reconstruction of the Mangon-bangon Bridge.
Vehicles going to downtown Tacloban via Congressman Mate Avenue were re-routed to Avenida Veteranos Extension/Quezon Boulevard instead. Meanwhile, vehicles exiting from downtown were diverted to P. Burgos Street or Quezon Boulevard.
More recently, starting November 13, 2024, a portion of Quezon Boulevard, particularly the areas behing McDonald’s Rizal Avenue, has been closed until further notice. The purpose of the closure is to help reduce traffic congestion due to the Phase 1 construction of a multi-level parking facility in the area. Motorists have been advised to take alternative routes.
Notably, TOMECO’s Traffic Engineering Team is also involved in various activities such as maintenance work, repainting of pavement markings, stop signs, hydrants, and other signage.
Special Occasions
Events such as town fiestas, festivals, and the like often involve parades, street dancing, and other activities. Some roads are closed, which could lead to traffic congestion; hence, the TOMECO announces traffic advisories in advance.
Last May 23, 2023, for example, UP Tacloban College celebrated its 50th Founding Anniversary. As part of the celebrations, there was a temporary road closure of the street in front of the old Leyte Provincial Capitol (Senator Enage Street), from 8:00 am of May 22 to 8:00 am of May 24, 2023.
Also last year, on December 16, 2023, a Bicycle Race (Romba 2023) was held. This involved the closure of Magsaysay Boulevard from 4:00 am to 5:00 pm. Motorists were urged to take alternate routes.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, the V&G Fiesta 2024 was held on February 11, 2024. To prevent traffic congestion, all vehicles entering V&G were instructed to pass through these entry points: Calanipawan Road (Savers Depot), City Hospital, Villa Dolina, and Villa Mayor Diversion Road. On the other hand, vehicles that are exiting V&G were told to take these exit points: Villa Dolina, Caibaan Road (Primark), and Villa Mayor Diversion Road.
More recently, the city celebrated the Sangyaw Parade of Lights last June 29, 2024. Once again, a traffic scheme was implemented to help decongest traffic, especially those who are entering and exiting the downtown area.
Clearing Operations
From time to time, TOMECO conducts clearing operations in various areas across the city. Traffic enforcers focus on apprehending violations such as sidewalk obstructions, disregarding traffic signs, not wearing of standard helmets (for motorcycle riders), and other road-related violations.
Contact Information: Tacloban City TOMECO
For those who have any questions or concerns for the Traffic Operation,Management, Enforcement, and Control Office (TOMECO), you can get in touch with them through these contact details:
Address: Tacloban City, Leyte
Email: tomeco.taclobancity@gmail.com
Website: https://tacloban.gov.ph/traffic-operation-management-enforcement-and-control-office/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaclobanTOMECO/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
Thanks to the Traffic Operation, Management, Enforcement, and Control Office (TOMECO), motorists, commuters, and pedestrians in Tacloban City can be assured of everyone’s safety while on the road.
In other parts of the country, similar road authorities are also hard at work, managing traffic and making sure that traffic rules are followed. In Bacolod City for example, there’s the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office. Check out this article for more details!