MMDA goes after litterbugs, jaywalkers

In a stepped up drive against litterbugs, jaywalkers and sidewalk vendors, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will start going after violators in eight areas on Edsa today.

More than 300 personnel wearing the MMDA vest over a yellow shirt will be deployed to Monumento, North Edsa, Quezon Avenue, Cubao, Ortigas, Shaw, Guadalupe and Edsa Taft, Francis Martinez, officer in charge of the MMDA Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, said on Sunday.

Every Wednesday, when devotees flock to the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, a group will also be assigned to Baclaran, he added.

The MMDA has been conducting clearing operations against sidewalk vendors. Jaywalkers, on the other hand, are slapped with a P500 fine or must spend three hours cleaning an estero. Litterbugs must pay the same amount or render eight hours of community service.

Betty Gendeve, MMDA chief health program officer, said that throwing candy wrappers and cigarette butts in the streets may clog sewers and cause flooding.

Violators will be asked for an identification card before being issued an environmental violation ticket. The fine can be paid at the MMDA office or any Metrobank branch.

Gendeve warned that a criminal case can be filed against litterbugs who evade the penalty with the court information forwarded to the National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration.