A Pasig city checkpoint is manned by a police officer equipped with a body-worn camera, which he wears on his shoulder. (File photo taken by Jodee Agoncillo)
MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday announced some of its traffic enforcers, specifically ticketing officers, will begin using body-worn cameras in August.
MMDA acting chairman Don Artes made the announcement after meeting with various transportation groups, riders’ organizations, and ride-hailing companies.
Artes said the agency already has 120 cameras available and another 20 units are being procured.
“Bibigyan natin ng one week ang stakeholders (para) mag-submit ng suggestions and comments. Then, isa-submit namin ‘yung guidelines sa paggamit nito. Then, papa-approve po natin,” Artes said.
(We will give stakeholders one week to submit their suggestions and comments. Then, we will submit the guidelines for its use. Then, we will have it approved.)
“Probably next month na [ang implementation] kasi magse-set pa kami ng meeting with MMC (Metro Manila Commission),” he told reporters.
(Probably the implementation will already be next month because we will still set a meeting with MMC.)
The cameras enforcers will use are the same ones being worn by traffic officers in the United Kingdom.
Each device comes with a warranty.
One unit costs P60,000.
It goes with a three-year subscription to a sim card.
Artes also talked about the total worth of the project.
“Parang nasa P24 million, kasama iyong application para ma-view siya sa ating command center,” he said.
(It seems to be around P24 million, including the application that will enable the command center to have viewpoints of the cameras.)
The council chair noted enforcers will not have access to the ‘on’ and ‘off’ features of the device.
“Pag-alis po ng docking station ay automatic mabubuhay itong camera, at mag-o-off lamang ito ‘pag idinock na sa docking station,” he explained.
(After leaving the docking station, the camera will automatically turn on, and it will only turn off when already docked at the docking station.)
“So, maa-assure po natin na tuloy tuloy ang pagre-record nyan,” he said.
(So, we can assure the recording will be continuous),” he added.
The body cameras will also be able to transmit live video footage directly to the MMDA’s command center, along with the location of each enforcer.
Each device can upload high definition footage to the center once it has been returned to its “docking stations.”
Drivers will still be able to contest their tickets within ten days from their apprehension through the single-ticketing system and MMDA’s traffic adjudication division.
“Yan naman po ay pinadali natin. Pwede pong walang actual appearance ng nagko-contest. May form po tayong pino-provide kung saan isusulat lang po nila ‘yung complaint,” said Artes.
(We have already made that easier. Complainants can contest with no need for an actual appearance. We provide a form in which they will just write the complaint.)
Persons who are caught committing traffic violations can also access the videos that the cameras picked up during the incidents.
MMDA hopes the cameras will address the extortion issues being raised against traffic operatives in Metro Manila.
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