MMDA eyes charges vs stubborn jaywalkers

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, will file charges against jaywalkers who fail to pay fines or render community service, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said.

Garcia added that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would be alerted of apprehended jaywalkers so that they would have “hits” on their records.

Garcia noted that local government units (LGU) in Metro Manila already have ordinances against jaywalking and they would be deputizing the MMDA to enforce such.

“Ako’y natutuwa ang lahat pala ng local government units ng Metro Manila, may local ordinance na sa jaywalking,” Garcia told reporters.

(I’m glad that all LGUs in Metro Manila already have ordinances against jaywalking).

He said they requested the LGUs to deputize the MMDA to give them the authority to file charges against those who violate the ordinance.

“Ngayon, hiningi namin sa mga local government na i-deputize ang MMDA sa local ordinance nila,” Garcia said.

(We will ask the LGUs to deputize us).

“Ibig sabihin kapag nakahuli kami ng nagja-jaywalking, hindi binayaran yung fine o kaya hindi nagcommunity service, pwede na namin silang file-an ng kaso sa paglabag sa local ordinance,” he added.

(If we apprehend a jaywalker who refuses to settle his or her fine or render community service, we can file charges for violating a local ordinance.)

An MMDA resolution for the uniform anti-jaywalking ordinances has already been approved and could be implemented within 30 days, he said.

Garcia said the MMDA will start filing charges, Garcia said “soon”. / gsg