Chapter 5

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

In this chapter, the summary of the research is presented, concluded from the

findings are interpreted, and recommendations for future research are discussed to help

provide a better understanding of the current situation of the traffic enforcers while

implementing safety and security protocols in checkpoints during the COVID-19

pandemic in the City of Mati.

Summary

This phenomenological inquiry explored the lived experiences of the traffic

enforcers in implementing safety protocols at checkpoints to support the mechanisms in

mitigating the risks and increasing cases of COVID-19. It specifically aimed to describe

the lived experiences of the traffic enforcers in implementing safety and security

protocols in checkpoints; to identify the competencies of the traffic enforcers in

implementing safety and security protocols in checkpoints during the COVID-19

pandemic.; and to explore the coping mechanisms of the traffic enforcers in

implementing safety and security protocols in checkpoints. These specific indicators

were thematically emphasized on the review of related literature to guide researchers

and their readers in the paper’s organization.

This study was conducted in the City Traffic Management Office of the City of

Mati from June 2021 to May 2022 for the School Year 2021-2022. This study utilized a

researcher-made interview guide for the individual in-depth interview (IDI) and focus

group discussion (FGD). There were ten (10) participants, wherein five (5) participants

were for IDI and another five (5) for the FGD.

This study only included the lived experiences of the CTMO of the City of Mati

traffic enforcers as participants. Using qualitative thematic analysis, the data gathered
were analyzed and discussed.
 52

Ten (10) primary themes arose from the data collected on the experiences and

perspectives of the study participants. Four main themes emerged from the lived

experiences, three main themes emerged from the competencies, and three from the

coping mechanisms of the traffic enforcers in implementing safety and security protocols

at checkpoints during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There have been unique experiences from the traffic enforcers who were assigned

to checkpoints to implement the safety and security protocols enforced in this time of

pandemic. Four emergent themes as the lived experiences of traffic enforcers revealed

in the findings as unaccustomed to protocols, defiant violators, unpredictable work shift,

and risk of exposure.

For the competencies of the traffic enforcers assigned to checkpoints to

implement the safety and security protocols during this time of the pandemic, three major

themes emerged: strictly implementing the protocols, accosting violators, and toeing the

line.

Meanwhile, the participants of this study disclosed three major themes as their

coping mechanisms namely: motivating oneself, getting support from family, and

acquiring government assistance.

Conclusion

This study revealed traffic enforcers’ lived experiences, competencies, and

coping mechanisms in implementing safety and security protocols at checkpoints during

the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings further disclosed the constant risk of infection, changing governmental

measures leading to a shift in calls for services, and the traffic enforcers experiencing

numerous alterations in safety and security protocols at checkpoints. These varied new
experiences may lead to uncertain or potentially stressful situations in which officers are

still expected to decide and act appropriately (Stogner et al, 2020).

The study also unraveled that a competent trained traffic enforcer coupled with

the best practices in enforcing traffic laws will ensure a safer road for the public

particularly to motorists and pedestrians. Similarly, McQuerry (2011) cites that a

professional traffic enforcer may take responsibility and commit to services and

performance.

It can also be deduced from the study that despite enforcement measures can

enhance the danger of apprehension and hence the level of deterrence and posits

challenges for the traffic enforcers (Blais & Dupont 2005), they managed to establish

coping mechanisms to be delivered from the demands, hazards, and threats brought

about by the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Henceforward, we conclude that this study could be underpinned by the

Transactional Stress Theory similarly with General Strain Theory with the perceived idea

of multi-sided challenges experienced by the traffic enforcers besides the well-known

stressors in traffic enforcing (Giessing et al., 2019).

However, the concept of traffic law enforcement which stems from the general

theory of deterrence, which suggests that people will be less likely to engage in

undesirable behavior when there is a possibility of sanctions (Pearsall, 2014), was not

emphasized in the findings. Nevertheless, it can be deduced from the findings how the

traffic enforcers coped with the challenges has been notably remarkable.

Recommendations

Based from the findings of the study, we would like to bring forth the following

recommendations to treat the challenging experiences of traffic enforcers.

1. The Local Government Unit particularly the traffic enforcement agency must
 draft and publish a handbook for traffic enforcers to guide them in their roles,

duties and obligations.

2. The City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) must encourage all enforcers to

maintain self-discipline and willpower, and provide them with ongoing training

and seminars, particularly on traffic enforcement with adverse defiant

violators.

3. The CMO must adhere to stablished standards to meet the demands and the

traffic enforcers.

4. Future researchers may undertake a similar study in other locations around

the province to explore the instances and scenarios of the traffic enforcers in

implementing safety and security in checkpoints and on the road in general.

Furthermore, we would like to endorse this paper as a groundwork for further

research to future researchers.

5. It may be due to some practices that have been in existence in the system.

Through this wide dispersion, all traffic management offices might consider

looking into ways to advance their people’s competencies to the next and

improve the inherent competencies of each personnel. This advancement may

be done through extensive training and development activities to augment the

skills of the traffic enforcers on the streets

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