‘Inhumane’: MMDA’s rule fining riders taking shelter under footbridges hit

EDSA-Buendia southbound footbridge in Makati city (File photo from MMDA)

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker described as “inhumane” the new policy of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that tells operatives to apprehend and fine motorcycle riders who will seek shelter from the rain or heat of the sun under footbridges and flyovers.

Speaking at the plenary session of House of Representatives on Tuesday, 1-Rider party-list representative Bonifacio Bosita pointed out the latest policy of MMDA is cruel.

It can also cause accidents, he warned.

“Hindi po makatao ang pinatutupad ng MMDA sa mga kapatid nating riders, dahil sa halip na tugunan nila ang problema, ilalagay pa nila sa peligro ang buhay ng mga ito, at kokolektahan pa nila ng malaking halaga na multa,” Bosita said in a privilege speech.

(The new policy of MMDA for our fellow riders is inhumane, because instead of solving the problem, they will put the lives of the riders at risk, and they will even collect fines from the riders.)

Bosita said MMDA’s new scheme can prompt riders to raise the speed of their motorcycles during downpours because they will try to reach as quickly as they can other structures where they can seek cover.

“Tumitigil at sumisilong ang mga kapatid nating riders sa ilalim ng footbridge at underpass dahil kailangan nilang gawin ito para maiwasan ang sakit at maipagpatuloy nila ang hanap-buhay para sa pamilya,” Bosita explained.

(Our fellow riders seek shelter under the footbridge and underpass because they need to do it to avoid getting sick and continue working for their families.)

“Tinutulak nila sa kapahamakan ang mga riders na walang kapote sapagkat bibilisan nila ang pagpapatakbo ng motorsilo kapag naabutan sila ng ulan para sumilong sa gasolinahan,” the lawmaker said.

(They are putting riders without raincoats at risk because they will now ride their motorcycles faster when it’s raining so they can seek shelter in gasoline stations.)

Instead of implementing this policy, Bosita suggested MMDA should, instead, allocate to motorcycle riders the spaces under the stairs of footbridges.

“Ang lingkod po ninyo ay isang registered civil engineer at alam po natin na maaari at magandang ilaan sa mga riders ang espasyo sa ilalim ng hagdan ng footbridge at iba pang mga lugar na ligtas para sa kanila,” he said.

(This representation is a registered civil engineer and we know that the space below the stairs of the footbridge, and other spaces where they are safe, can be allocated to them and are good for them.)

“Hindi sila magiging obstruction sa pedestrians at iba pang mga motorista, umuulan man o mainit ang sikat ng araw,” he guaranteed.

(They will not be an obstruction to pedestrians and other motorists, whether it raining or there’s sweltering heat from the sun.)

MMDA’s new policy began on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

Motorists who will be caught violating this new scheme will pay a fine of P1,000.

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