Deputation of BCPO personnel pressed

City officials recently requested the Cordillera office of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to coordinate the deputation and training of at least four police personnel in every station for the strict implementation of the pertinent provisions of Republic (RA) 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drug Driving Act of 2013 in the city.

Under Resolution No. 286, series of 2024, local legislators stated that there is a need for the procurement of the necessary equipment such as alcohol breath analyzers and test kits and the conduct of training for the deputation of the police officers to properly and efficiently implement the pertinent provisions of the law.

Sections 10 and 11 of RA 10586 state that the LTO may deputize traffic enforcement officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and cities and municipalities in order to enforce the provisions of the said law.

Further, the LTO and the PNP shall conduct training seminars of their law enforcers and deputize with regard to the proper conduct of field sobriety test and breathalyzer test every year. Within four months from the effectiveness of the law, the LTO shall publish the guidelines and procedures for the proper conduct of field sobriety tests which shall be made available to the public and made available for download through the LTO website.

Earlier, the PNP national headquarters issued Memorandum Circular (Mc) No. 2021-055 relative to the PNP Anti-Drunk and Drug Driving campaign plan which provides for the guidelines to be strictly followed by all units in its campaign against drunk and drug driving with the primary goal of reducing road crash incidents, improving public safety and emptying the streets of drivers who are under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and other similar substances.

The council claimed that the LTO and the BCPO need to coordinate the deputation and straining of police personnel in every police station as they are the first responders to traffic incidents and in the best position to conduct police community relations or dissemination of information against driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other related substances for the efficient implementation of the law.

Moreover, the body stipulated that there is a need for at least four police personnel designated at all police stations covering day and night shifts to readily respond to the traffic incidents.

Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the LTO-CAR and BCPO for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. – Dexter A. See