Traffic enforcers of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila will be deputized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to continue issuing traffic violation tickets to erring motorists in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The decision was made between the MMDA and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) headed by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora after the Supreme Court issued a ruling prohibiting the LGUs in Metro Manila to issue their own traffic violation tickets.

The High Court decision posed problems as far as traffic management in Metro Manila is concerned since the MMDA admitted that it lacks manpower to oversee the traffic in NCR and needs the traffic enforcers of the LGUs.

“We have agreed to give local traffic enforcers in Metro Manila provisional authority for now to prevent anarchy on the roads,” said Artes.  

Based on the agreement, each LGU in Metro Manila will submit a list of traffic enforcers authorized to issue citation tickets to be granted provisional deputization until December 31, 2024.

The decision was seen as a middle ground between the SC ruling and the real picture of traffic management in Metro Manila. 

It also serves as a temporary solution while the NCR LGUs are still contemplating on filing a motion for reconsideration, which Zamora said could be resorted to by each NCR LGU 

On the part of the MMDA, it said it will no longer file a motion for reconsideration. He said earlier that the SC ruling is favorable to the agency since the High Court finally recognized the legislative power of the MMDA as far as traffic management in Metro Manila is concerned. 

“Our immediate solution is provisional deputization of the traffic enforcers subject to the compliance to MMDA’s requirements and qualifications,” said Artes, referring to the deputization of LGU traffic enforcers.

By MMDA requirements, Artes is referring to the proper and strict training and seminar that MMDA enforcers undergo before they are deployed.

He said earlier that the training and seminar of traffic enforcers of LGUs are different with that of the MMDA.

Artes said NCR LGUs were also asked to submit a list of their traffic ordinances to be included in the revision of the 2023 Metro Manila Traffic Code which will include as many traffic violations as possible. 

Once deputized, local traffic enforcers will wear identification cards with “Deputized by the MMDA” markings to show motorists their authorization to enforce traffic rules and regulations, according to Zamora. 

“If traffic enforcers do not enforce the law, we will see violations everywhere, which we want to prevent from happening,” he said.