NCR mayors want to push single ticketing system for traffic violations

Changing their tune after almost a decade, the National Capital Region’s (NCR) 17 mayors comprising the Metro Manila Council or MMC want a single ticketing system for traffic violations in the metropolis. 

San Juan City Mayor and MMC President Francis Zamora [Image: Mayor Francis Zamora FB page]

This was according to San Juan City Mayor and newly elected MMC President Francis Zamora, who made the remarks during the joint session between the MMC and the Regional Development Council (RDC) held on Saturday, November 26.    

According to a report by the Manila Bulletin, the MMC is considering a uniform ticketing system to ease the burden on motorists in NCR. Under the proposal, the same amount will be charged for penalties involving several traffic violations across all Metro Manila local government units (LGUs). 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be tagged in digital records, ensuring that erring drivers will be unable to renew their licenses or declare them lost until after settling the fines. Payment centers will be established all over the country, making it easier for motorists to pay anywhere.

Apprehended motorists will be unable to renew their licenses until the fine is settled

Zamora adds that the MMC is studying the option of standardizing all fines for traffic violations committed in Metro Manila’s 17 cities. “Iba ang multa sa iba’t ibang klaseng violations. We have to discuss sa lahat ng mayor ay sasang-ayon na halaga ng multa sa iba’t ibang klaseng violations ay magiging parehas,” he said.   

(We all have different fines for various violations. We still have to discuss this with all mayors so that we can agree on having uniform fines among cities.)

The MMDA first implemented the single ticketing scheme in March 2012, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the LTO, and transport groups. Traffic violators were issued a Uniform Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR) that they can use as temporary licenses prior to settling the penalties. 

Eventually, the Metro Manila mayors voiced their opposition to the program. In January 2013, the Court of Appeals 6th Division upheld the authority of Metro Manila LGUs to enforce traffic laws in their respective jurisdictions.

The MMDA also received approval for its 2023 operating budget of over Php 9 billion [Image: MMDA FB page] 

At the same joint session, the MMC greenlit the MMDA’s operational budget of over Php 9.6 billion for 2023. It also approved the agency’s Php 100 million supplemental budget. “Yung budget ng MMDA, this is the budget for calendar year 2023, pero papasok pa sa Congress so maaaring magbago pa ang budget,” Zamora clarified.

(This proposed MMDA budget is for the calendar year 2023 but this will still go through Congress so it may still change.)

Get more mobility-related news and updates at Philkotse.com.