MANILA, Philippines — Don’t get angry at traffic aides who merely implement the rules to ensure order on the road.
This was the gentle reminder of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia to commuters after MMDA Task Force for Special Operations Chief and Edsa traffic head Bong Nebrija figured in an altercation with bus passengers the other day along Edsa.
“Huwag niyo kaming pagmumurahin,” Garcia said in a press conference held at the MMDA headquarters on Thursday.
Nebrija received expletives from furious passengers as their buses got flagged in Quezon City for violating traffic rules.
READ: Bus passengers ‘curse’ MMDA for issuing traffic ticket amid rush hour in QC
“Unang-una, hindi po kami nakaka-abala, yung driver ng bus na ‘yun, sandamakmak ang ticket,” Garcia bared. “That’s why I actually talked to Bong this morning and (told) him to give me a report. And I will write the LTO (Land Transportation Office). Pasu-suspinde natin ‘yung mga ganyang pasaway.”
Although he said he understood what the passengers were going through at that time, he added: “Pero isipin niyo ‘yung sinakyan niyo kasing bus, pasaway.”
“Kung hindi pasaway ‘yung driver na ‘yan… ‘wag niyong isisi sa nage-enforce ng batas. Kung hindi barumbado ‘yung driver niyo, hindi huhuliin ‘yan at hindi kayo made-delay, hindi kayo paparahin,” he stressed.
Garcia warned that commuters who board and get off buses on non-designated bus stops along Edsa are violating the law, as it is considered jaywalking. He said jaywalkers may face a fine of P500 or undergo community service.
As for errant bus drivers, Garcia had this warning: “Yung mga driver na pasaway na ‘yan, hindi kami natatakot sa inyo.”
“Uubusin namin kayo kakahuli. We will recommend to the LTO to suspend all their licenses, then we will do so,” he noted. /kga