MMDA eyes uniform traffic fine rates

Nearly 17 years later, the dream is finally a reality.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila on Thursday launched a single ticketing system for traffic violations.

Their next move: To come up with uniform rates for traffic fines and penalties.

“Transport groups have been asking for a single ticketing system since 1995. We are grateful for the support and cooperation of [Interior] Secretary Jesse Robredo and the Metro Manila mayors in finally resolving the matter,” MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said at the press conference for the launching of the Uniform Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR).

He added: “Gone are the days when drivers who have been apprehended somewhere for a violation [are again] apprehended elsewhere for failure to show their driver’s license.”

The UOVR, which is about a foot long and bears the logos of the MMDA, the Metro LGUs and the Land Transportation Office, will be honored as a temporary driver’s license in Metro Manila.

Tolentino clarified, however, that a motorist who gets a ticket for a particular traffic violation could be issued another ticket for a different violation.

With the unified ticketing system in place, the MMDA is looking at a unified system of traffic violation fines and penalties.

Tolentino noted that at present, the 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila have their own ordinances setting the fees and penalties for traffic violations.

“Maybe we will draft a model ordinance with harmonized fees and penalties which will be evaluated by technical working groups and passed on to the legislative councils of the local governments for approval,” he said, adding, “We look forward to that next year.”

Several transport groups who attended the launching welcomed the UOVR, noting that nothing was done to achieve a unified ticketing system aside from an executive order issued by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2008 which went unheeded because of the opposition of some LGUs.

“We are very happy with this new system. It will surely curb graft and corruption since enforcers can no longer ask bribes from drivers for their failure to present their license despite a ticket issued by a different local government unit,” said Zenaida Maranan, president of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines.

For his part, Efren de Luna, president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, said that the system was long overdue.