MMC: NCR traffic enforcers to be deputized, given provisional authority to issue tickets

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) announced on Tuesday, March 12, that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will grant local traffic enforcers in the National Capital Region (NCR) provisional authority to issue citation tickets transitory to their compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling for them to follow the MMDA's single-ticketing system.

San Juan City Mayor and MMC President Francis Zamora stated that they will implement the deputization of traffic enforcers that will authorize them to issue traffic citation tickets.

“You only need to deputize the actual people who will issue the ticket, so nagpapa-inventory na ako ngayon then isa-submit namin kay chairman (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) then it will be a very fast process lang (You only need to deputize actual people who will issue the ticket, so I am currently conducting an inventory. Then, we will submit it to the chairman (MMDA), and the process will be very fast),” he said.

The mayor added that once the traffic enforcers are deputized, they will be required to wear IDs identifying them as traffic enforcers deputized by the MMDA.

“Yes, may ID (yung mga made-deputize) because so that… kase kwento nung ibang mga kasama natin kanina, may mga pilosopo talaga na (rider) “hindi n'yo kami p'wedeng hulihin” tapos kahit anong violation na nila sa traffic hindi na sila pwedeng hulihin, kaya kapag deputized na (traffic enforcer), may nakalagay (sa ID) deputized by MMDA, then it gives them the proper identity na para masabi na deputized na ako, allowed akong maniket (Yes, there will be IDs for those who will be deputized because... based on the stories from some of our colleagues earlier, there are some riders who are really stubborn, saying 'you can't apprehend us,' and no matter what traffic violation they commit, they can't be apprehended. So, when they are deputized as traffic enforcers, having 'deputized by MMDA' on their IDs, gives them the proper identity to say, 'I am deputized, I am allowed to issue tickets),” Zamora stated.

Zamora said he will consult with his legal team to determine whether they will file a motion for reconsideration (MR) of the Supreme Court's decision.

“Kaya nga iniisip ko nga ho kung kailangan namin mag-MR kase nga po compliant na kami in terms of the 20 common traffic violations. Ang kailangan na lang namin solusyunan is yung traffic deputization, and as mentioned nga po, it will be a fast process for the provisional deputization. Ang pag-uusapan na lang namin halimbawa meron kaming ilang mga rules and regulations na labas doon sa dalawampung pasok doon sa STS, baka ‘yun na lang po ang idagdag sa Metro Manila traffic code (That's why I'm considering whether we need to file an MR because we are already compliant in terms of the 20 common traffic violations. What we need to address now is the traffic deputization, and as mentioned, it will be a fast process for the provisional deputization. We will just discuss if we have some rules and regulations outside of the twenty covered in the STS, perhaps those can be added to the Metro Manila traffic code),” Zamora said.

Chairman Don Artes said the MMDA will not file a Motion of Reconsideration regarding the STS.

Artes said that “Pinagbabawalan po ang local government unit (LGU) na mangupiska ng Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVR) at lisensya (The local government unit (LGU) is prohibited from issuing Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVR) and licenses),” he said.

Zamora also said that local government units (LGUs) have the option to file a motion for reconsideration (MR). If an LGU decides to file an MR, the process will be carried out individually.

Artes emphasized that in terms of traffic regulations, enforcers should be in uniform to avoid confusion among motorists.

He added that the since the SC decision is not yet final and executory, local enforcers may still use their local ordinance.

“Kahit hindi pa naman final executory ang desisyon, pwede pa pong gamitin ng mga local government yung kanilang local traffic ordinance. Pero bilang preparation lang din po, ieexpand namin o nirerevise namin yung Metro Manila Code. Pero hangga’t wala pa po yan, ang susundin pa rin po itong mga deputized natin ay yun pong local traffic ordinance (Even though the decision is not yet final and executory, local governments can still use their local traffic ordinances. However, as a way of preparation, we are expanding or revising the Metro Manila Code. But until that happens, our deputized enforcers will still follow the local traffic ordinance),” he said.

Artes said the cut-off for the deputization of traffic enforcers is December 31, 2024 for them to be able to comply with the requirements.