Members of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Strike Force conduct a clearing operation along Mabuhay Lanes in parts of Quezon City on November 30, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File.

MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday said it would meet with the Metro Manila Council to iron out the implementation of the traffic violation single ticketing system in the National Capital Region.

This was after the recent ruling of the Supreme Court preventing traffic enforcers of local government units to issue traffic violation receipts unless deputized by the MMDA.

READ: SC reminds LGUs can't issue traffic violation receipts unless deputized by MMDA

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Atty. Victor Maria Nuñez, Director III of MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group, said that they were a bit surprised with the decision of the high tribunal. 

According to Nuñez, the MMDA has limited personnel to monitor the traffic situation in the entire Metro Manila.

“It's been a long issue. Nagulat din kami kasi ang MMDA, limitado lang ang authority namin pagdating sa Metro Manila. Limited kami sa major thoroughfares at national roads so pagdating sa mga inner roads, city roads wala na kaming deployment don, so inaasa namin yan sa mga local traffic enforcers ng bawat LGU ng Metro Manila,” Nuñez told ABS-CBN News. 

Nunez said the MMDA plans to meet with the 17 members of the Metro Manila Council anytime soon to discuss the effect of SC ruling refraining LGUs from issuing violation tickets to motorists to ensure there would be no impact on traffic.

“Kailangan naming balikan, pagaralan yung decision ng Supreme Court. We need to meet with the Metro Manila Council kasi malaki ang epekto din niyan. Kasi if they will be refrain from issuing ticket violation yung UOVR (uniform ordinance violation receipts), baka ang tendency ng motorista eh bara-bara na lang kasi alam nilang hindi sila puwedeng tikitan,” Nuñez said. 

In the decision of the Supreme Court en banc promulgated on July 11, 2023, a permanent injunction was given to LGUs from issuing Ordinance Violation Receipts and confiscating licenses unless they were given authority by the MMDA.

Nuñez said the MMDA is willing to issue deputization to local traffic enforcers of different LGUs in the National Capital Region, but all of them need to go through proper seminars and pass the examination. 

“Pag-uusapan ho yan sa Metro Manila Council. Siyempre sasalain din yan, hindi naman ganoon kabilis. Pero siguro sa pag-uusap ng mga members ng MMC, puwede naman naming mai-provide 'yan, kasi magiging toothless ang mga local traffic enforcers if they will not be allowed to issue citation tickets. So nagbibigay naman talaga ang MMDA ng deputization ever since, kailangan lang naming pag-aralan ulit yung nilabas na desisyon ng Supreme Court,” Nuñez said. 

The MMC has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

ALAMIN: Benepisyo ng single ticketing system sa NCR, ayon sa MMC

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