MANILA, Philippines—It’s an all-new system, but you’re still better off avoiding it.
After 17 years on the drawing board, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is implementing a single ticketing system for traffic violators starting Thursday.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino thanked on Wednesday the 17 Metro Manila mayors for finally yielding to the agency’s charter and heeding pleas from transport groups since 1995 for a unified system.
The uniform ordinance violation receipt (UOVR) was “designed to be tamper-proof” and would sport the logos of the MMDA and the 17 LGUs, Tolentino added.
It addresses longtime complaints mostly from drivers of public utility vehicles about the different LGU tickets, which become problematic when local traffic enforcers in one city don’t recognize citations issued in another.
With the UOVR, Tolentino said traffic enforcers under the MMDA, the LGUs and Land Transportation Office would honor the common ticket issued by these parties. The ticket serves as a temporary driver’s license until the violator redeems his official license.
“An apprehension for obstruction in one city will not bar the issuance of a second or even succeeding UOVRs if subsequently the motorist is caught committing other traffic violations,” he explained.
Tickets issued by the MMDA may still be paid at Metrobank branches within seven days, while LGU-issued citations may be settled at city halls, the chairman added.