EDSA traffic gets lift from female enforcers

Passing through EDSA is every motorist and commuter's nightmare. (AFP)

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group presented a special unit composed of female riders that will aid their male counterparts manage the flow of traffic along notorious EDSA.

Brigadier General Eliseo DC Cruz, PNP-HPG director, led Wednesday’s launch of its HPG All-Women Patrolers and Traffic Supervisors Unit near Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Composed of 20 female officers who are trained riders and traffic enforcement supervisors, they will be assigned to EDSA in two shifts—5 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. They are part of the 48-female unit that recently finished their motorcycle riding school.

https://tribune.net.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/female-traffic-2019-Sept-4-Wed.mp4 A female enforcer mans traffic flow near the EDSA-Santolan Road intersection in Quezon City. (Analy Labor)

The female riders are not yet deputized to issue tickets. Instead, it will be their male counterpart who is authorized by the Land Transportation Office and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

“We are in the process of applying for their (women officers) deputization. But at the moment, they are not allow (to issue tickets),” Cruz told reporters.

“The main responsibility of the lady riders is to help in the flow of traffic along EDSA, respond to vehicle-related crimes and go after violators of traffic rules.

“We will utilize what they learned especially now that we are maximizing our presence in all major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, even in other regions, that’s why need these trained policemen and policewomen,” Cruz said.

“Cruz said the deployment of female HPG officers is also part of their gender equality campaign.

“Regardless if you are a male or female cop, you should be able to respond to any crime incident,” Cruz said.

“If we can contribute in crime prevention, in responding to any crime incidents especially carnapping, highway robbery and carjacking, we can help in improving the flow of traffic along EDSA so there is a need for us to be on the streets because that is our job.”