MMDA tapping camera phones vs erring enforcers

Cellular phones equipped with cameras can now be used to turn just about anyone into an instant undercover agent of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Agency officials said yesterday citizens can now use their camera phones to catch traffic enforcers engaged in extortion through bribery in the course of apprehending erring motorists.

They can also take snapshots of personnel sleeping on the job. The photos can send the pictures directly to MMDA Metrobase, where personnel will document the photo-aided report.

The photos will be sent to concerned officials or offices that will act against the subject traffic enforcer who, with solid evidence against him, will be confronted and punished for having been caught red-handed.

Under the MMDA’s newly-established MMS-Aided Monitoring System (MAMS), ordinary citizens can now help the agency cleanse its ranks of corrupt employees and traffic personnel.

Chairman Bayani Fernando’s latest pet project is also being utilized to give anybody an opportunity to report just about anything directly to the MMDA through Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).

All pictures can now be sent to either 0920-9389861 or 0920-9389875.

Although Metro Manila monitoring and reporting systems have been devised to respond to problems confronting the provision of various services, the MMDA said there are still other and new ways of monitoring and reporting incidents through the use of information technology.

"Thus, the MMDA explored the possibility of employing camera phones using MMS to monitor and report road accidents and emergencies, road deficiencies and disorder, violations in general, and illegal activities of misguided MMDA personnel," the agency said.

Those wanting to be part of the project may report incidents under four categories, namely: traffic, garbage and environmental concerns, flood, and others.

Under traffic, illegal activities of traffic enforcers and other MMDA personnel can be reported directly to Metrobase.

This is followed by other traffic concerns like unattended excavations, illegal terminals, damaged traffic signs and concrete barriers, overloaded public utility vehicles, heavy traffic situations and chokepoints.

Under garbage and other environmental concerns, photos of garbage piles, littered streets, people in the act of illegally dumping garbage, damaged pink urinals, illegal cutting and uprooting of trees, damaged waiting sheds, illegal burning of garbage, and uncovered garbage trucks may be reported.

Under flood category, MMS pictures of flooded areas, clogged waterways, damaged sewer pipes, illegally tapped drains, open manholes, damaged water pipes, and garbage-filled waterways can be taken and sent to the MMDA Metrobase.

Under other concerns, the public may also report smoke-belching vehicles, sidewalk obstructions, encroachments, vagrants and street dwellers, and graffiti.

MMDA’s MAMS project is also being utilized for Fernando’s anti-illegal billboard and streamers drive on EDSA since anyone can take pictures and complain of posters or streamers that either pose dangers or contain obscene elements.