MMDA opens traffic management institute

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday opened its Institute of Traffic Management (ITM) to train not only its personnel but traffic enforcers of the metropolis’ local government units (LGUs).

The ITM will serve as the country’s premiere educational institution for training and continuing education of all traffic management personnel, traffic law enforcers and traffi c accident investigators of both local and national government agencies, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.

Tolentino said 80 MMDA traffic enforcers will undergo traffic management education at the ITM over the next two months. He noted that most, if not all, enforcers are not familiar with international signages.

Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman, who chairs the traffic cluster of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), said a resolution would be passed by the mayors to require LGUs to have their enforcers undergo training at ITM.

He admitted that there are MMDA enforcers who are deployed on the streets despite lacking enough training.

Tolentino said the ITM has the authority to grant certificates of training competency to government and nongovernment personnel involved in traffic management, traffic law enforcement and traffic accident investigation who successfully completed courses at the institute.

“This may be a long- term war against the negative driving habits of some of our countrymen, but I believe that the ITM will eventually be a school of hope, inspiration and pride. We have managed to make a difference. In the future, this difference will be felt, seen and noticed. This is the difference worth working for,” he said.