Talisay mayor warns ‘fake traffic aides’

At least 24 former workers of Talisay City’s traffic office whose contracts were not renewed  continue to act as enforcers although they have no authority to issue traffic citations.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante complained that  24 of them were hired by the mayor’s son, Talisay administrator John Yre delos Reyes, and continue to report to him.

Villarante, who heads the City of Talisay- Traffic Operation and Development Authority (CT-TODA),  said contracts of the    24 traffic employees  were not renewed after random drug tests were held and  their performance was  assessed.

Villarante said the 24 have not reported to the traffic office.

John Yre explained that  he rehired the 24 personnel as part of the quota for his office because he took pity on them.

Villarante said he sees no problem with this “as long as they respect the authorized and legitimate group” of enforcers in the city.

He said the 24  are not deputized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO)./CORRESPONDENT GABRIEL C. BONJOC