NCR traffic enforcers to be provisionally deputized by MMDA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that it will issue a provisional deputization mandate that will allow traffic enforcers in the National Capital Region (NCR) to issue violation tickets to erring motorists.

According to the agency, the decision to execute the decision was due to reports of apprehended motorists arguing with local traffic enforcers, stating that they are unauthorized to issue traffic violation tickets.

On that note, traffic enforcers from the 17 local government units in Metro Manila will be allowed to continue issuing citation tickets to traffic violators in the region.

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

The agency’s figurehead after he met with the mayors of Metro Manila in a Metro Manila Council (MMC) Special Meeting. There they discussed the Supreme Court (SC) decision ruling that the MMDA has jurisdiction as far as traffic regulations are concerned, prohibiting the LGUs in the region to issue their traffic violation tickets.

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

The ruling will be effective until December 31, 2024.

Once deputized, local traffic enforcers can be identified as they will wear identification cards with “DEPUTIZED BY THE MMDA” markings to show motorists their authorization to enforce traffic rules and regulations, MMC president and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora stated.

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

Meanwhile, Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce III reiterated that the SC decision is not yet final and executory. Thus, the MMC would make the necessary preparations and adjustments during the period of transition as the traffic enforcers in NCR undergo the said provisional deputization.

Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, on the other hand, commented that they have also discussed the expansion of the Metro Manila Traffic Code and the inclusion of more traffic violations under the agency’s Single Ticketing System.

Further, he said they are also looking at the uniformity of traffic enforcers’ qualifications.

Photos from MMDA Facebook page

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