THE Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are exploring ways to expand the Traffic Code in the National Capital Region.
Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon said the MMC was considering adding more traffic violations under the Single Ticketing System (STS) and enhancing the uniformity of the traffic enforcers’ qualifications.
During a meeting, the two agencies also focused on a recent Supreme Court decision regarding the authority of local government units (LGUs) to issue traffic violation tickets.
The MMC, which is composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the governing board and policy-making body of the MMDA.
The Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 listed the 20 most common traffic violation penalties imposed uniformly in all Metro Manila local government units, as follows:
Disregarding traffic signs, Illegal parking (attended and unattended), number coding, truck ban, light truck ban, reckless driving, unregistered motor vehicle, driving without license, tricycle ban, obstruction, dress code for motorcycle, overloading, defective motorcycle accessories, unauthorized modification, arrogance/discourteous conduct of the driver, loading and unloading in prohibited zones, Illegal counterflow, and over-speeding.
The STS also covers special laws such as the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act, Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmet Act, Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act, Anti-Distracted Driving Act, and Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act.
The SC ruled that the MMDA has jurisdiction as far as traffic regulations are concerned, prohibiting the local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region from issuing traffic violation tickets.
However, the decision was not yet final and executory, according to the MMDA.
During the MMC meeting, the MMDA agreed to deputize the traffic enforcers of the 17 LGUs for them to continue issuing traffic violation tickets to erring motorists in the metropolis.
“We have agreed to give local traffic enforcers in Metro Manila provisional authority for now to prevent anarchy on the roads,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.
Each LGU will submit a list of traffic enforcers authorized to issue citation tickets to be granted provisional deputization authority until December 31, 2024.
The LGUs were also asked to submit a list of their traffic ordinances to be included in the revision of the 2023 Metro Manila Traffic Code.
The MMDA admitted that it doesn’t have enough personnel to manage traffic in the entire NCR, stating that it needs local traffic enforcers, especially on inner roads.
The single ticketing system aims to standardize apprehension procedures, payment of fines, and redemption of vehicle plates and driver’s licenses, among others, in the NCR.
The move aims to establish effective transport and traffic management in Metro Manila.