THE Metro Manila Development Authority is set to launch a new website where the public can report a complaint or incident of extortion and other illegal activities involving traffic enforcers.
MMDA officer-in-charge Thomas Orbos said the new website “www.mmda.gov.ph” is a portal where the public are encouraged to report any illegal activities of its personnel.
“We are calling on the public to be on the lookout for these erring traffic personnel on our streets. We want them to help us in weeding out these people as a way to better serve them,” said Orbos.
The website aims to foster transparency and active civic participation in finding solutions to various metro-wide concerns.
On Monday, Orbos ordered the immediate relief of three traffic enforcers caught accepting bribe money from erring motorists in Parañaque City and Makati City last week.
He also tapped the agency’s Legal and Legislative Administrative Services to prepare the filing of administrative cases against the enforcers—Crisaldo Lopez, Mark Richard de Guia, and Resty Padel.
Lopez, assigned at the Traffic Discipline Office-Southern District, was seen on a closed-circuit television camera monitor accepting bribe money from a motorist at the intersection of MIA Road and Roxas Boulevard last Oct. 7.
De Guia and Padel, both assigned at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue-Special Traffic and Transport Zone, on the other hand, were caught “negotiating” with an erring driver as money changed hands on Oct. 8 in the area of Edsa-Magallanes.
The MMDA also suspended a member of its Motorcycle Unit who was arrested for drug dealing in Quezon City on Sunday.
Police arrested Dexter Lucas, 43, during a buy-bust at the corner of Edsa and Muñoz Street. Recovered from the suspect was a P500 marked money and small transparent plastic sachet of shabu.
During the arrest, Lucas introduced himself as a member of the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group.
Orbos imposed a 90-day suspension against Lucas who is now being investigated while in jail. He said the suspect was previously suspended for operating a colorum vehicle last July.
Orbos is set to meet with the Traffic Sector Heads to discuss command responsibility among traffic personnel.
“This is to remind them that it is their responsibility to be aware of the activities of the people under their command and they will be ultimately accountable for any action of their subordinates,” he said.
Orbos said the MMDA will start posting notice to the public bearing the photos and criminal and administrative cases of personnel within the agency premises.
This way, he added, the general public will be aware of those erring personnel of the agency and avoid illegal transactions with them.
“If we acknowledge and recognize the good deeds of our people, we have also the responsibility to the public to warn them to stay away from those unscrupulous personnel,” Orbos said.