MANILA, Philippines ? Good news for drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the metropolis.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday announced that it was reducing the fine for one of the most common violations committed by drivers of passenger buses, jeepneys and other PUVs.
MMDA Chair Oscar Inocentes said in a statement that effective immediately, the fine for driving without a license would be P150, down from the current P300.
?We understand the sentiments of drivers who virtually have to contend with different traffic enforcers and different traffic rules every day,? Inocentes said.
He added, however, that the new rate would not apply to private motorists and would be effective only until March 25 while the MMDA and local government units were ironing out the mechanics for a single ticketing scheme for Metro Manila.
According to Inocentes, the MMDA decided to lower the fine for the violation after a meeting with representatives from the transport sector who asked the agency for some leeway while authorities were finalizing the unified traffic code for the metropolis.
During Tuesday?s dialogue, Ed Martin, president of the jeepney transport group Pasang Masda, reiterated his objection to the MMDA?s practice of issuing tickets and imposing fines on drivers whose licenses had been confiscated by traffic enforcers of local government units.
Under the present system, MMDA traffic enforcers do not confiscate the license of drivers they apprehend. Instead, they mete out a fine which the motorist can pay through accredited banks.
On the other hand, the traffic enforcers of most LGUs seize the license of an errant driver and issue an ordinance violation receipt (OVR) which can serve as a temporary substitute for his license until he pays the corresponding fine.
However, the MMDA doesn?t recognize the OVR of LGUs so drivers who can present only an OVR are penalized for driving without a license which carries a P300 fine.
MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno, meanwhile, told transport leaders that following traffic rules would help them avoid trouble.
?We can complain and complain. But what we need to do is to improve our discipline. We can avoid numerous traffic citations if we only comply religiously with traffic laws,? he said.
