The Tagbilaran City government through the City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) has collected over P4 million in fines for traffic violations committed from September, 2016 to August this year.
Based on the latest annual data from the CTMO, it was able to collect P819,680 in 2015 and P3 million in 2016.
READ: In 1 week: CTMO clamps, locks 94 vehicles
CTMO chief Tony Samante ascribed the sudden surge in traffic fine collection to the implementation of the clamping ordinance in September of 2016.
According to Samante, the CTMO collected a daily average of over P10,000 from violators of the ordinance which mandates the clamping of vehicles illegally parked across Tagbilaran.
With the sharp growth in the CTMO’s contribution to the city government’s coffers, Samante hoped that the traffic bureau will be allocated a larger sum for the purchase of equipment including vehicles.
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Samante said that the CTMO only has one official vehicle while it needs two more for its operations in three key areas in Tagbilaran City.
Roads across the city are also in need of new street and traffic signs as some of these have been stolen while others are already dilapidated, he said. (AD)