ILOILO City – Motorcycle riders have emerged as the leading violators of traffic laws in this city, prompting authorities to ramp up enforcement and safety awareness efforts amid rising concerns over road discipline and public safety.
Data from the city government’s Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO) revealed that from January to May 5, 2025, a total of 2,363 motorcycle riders were issued citation tickets — the highest number among all types of motorists.
This figure accounts for nearly one-third of the 8,381 total traffic citations issued during the five-month period.
TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos described the surge in violations as “concerning,” pointing out that while motorcycles are a dominant presence on city roads, they are also frequently involved in risky behaviors such as counterflowing, ignoring traffic signals, and helmet non-compliance.
“Motorcycles are agile and convenient, but that agility often translates to rule-breaking,” Garbanzos said. “We see daily incidents of riders weaving through traffic, entering restricted lanes, or parking illegally.”
Following motorcycles in the tally of traffic violators were:
* private vehicles – 2,136 tickets
* tricycles – 1,403
* public utility jeepneys – 928
* public utility buses – 652
* taxis – 457
* trucks – 238
Garbanzos stressed that beyond enforcement, behavioral change is key.
“We need to instill a culture of responsibility among motorcycle users,” he said.
To address the problem, the TTMO is expanding its strategies. These include more road signage, spot inspections, intensified patrols in high-risk areas, and a targeted motorcycle safety awareness campaign in partnership with barangays and rider organizations.
“Every violation we stop could be one accident prevented. Road safety is not just about following rules — it’s about saving lives,” Garbanzos said.
Region-specific road safety plan
Road safety concerns, however, are not just confined in Iloilo City; it is regional. Western Visayas plans to roll-out the country’s first regionally tailored road safety action plan.
The Western Visayas Road Safety Action Plan (WVRSAP) 2026-2028, developed under the Ligtas na Kalsada for All (LinK4All) project, aims to localize global and national road safety frameworks through a “glocal” lens — blending international best practices with region-specific strategies.
The project is spearheaded by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office 6 (formerly the National Economic and Development Authority) and was launched during the fifth meeting of the Technical Working Group for Sustainable Development Goals on Road Safety of the Regional Development Council (RDC) on May 14.
“The initiative we have sponsored and shepherded represents a pioneering approach to road safety. It is the first comprehensive plan that acknowledges the unique context and challenges faced by our region,” said Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and chairperson of RDC’s Development Administration Committee.
RDC’s endorsement through Resolution No. 08, Series of 2025, established a special committee comprising youth organizations, professional groups, academic institutions, local government units, and the private sector. These stakeholders will form planning teams to address key areas: multimodal transport and land use, safe road behavior, infrastructure safety, vehicle standards, and post-crash response.
“With strong collaboration from actors both from the private and public sector and the collective effort that road safety demands, the LinK4All project will go beyond being just a plan. I am confident it will produce tangible results,” said Engr. Arecio Casing Jr., DEPDev-6 director and RDC vice chairperson./PN
