MMDA wants 'secret agents' to catch erring enforcers

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando called on the public yesterday to be the MMDA’s “secret agents” and help weed out erring traffic enforcers.

Fernando said motorists and passengers can covertly take photographs or video footages of illegal activities of the MMDA personnel they see on the street.

“We are encouraging the public to help us rid the MMDA of these corrupt traffic personnel by immediately reporting to us any illegal activity they happen to witness. We will gladly accept useful information you will provide to us,” he said. 

Earlier, three MMDA traffic enforcers at the EDSA-Shaw Boulevard intersection were caught by the agency’s Task Force Honesty Team receiving P20 from each bus driver in exchange for letting them stay longer to pick up passengers.

The MMDA has put up electronic timers at the bus loading bays along EDSA and other major roads and intersections to prevent buses from overstaying in these areas. The MMDA has 51 traffic surveillance cameras in EDSA alone under its Road Safety Surveillance System and Wireless Communications Backbone program.

The wireless cameras are linked to Metrobase, the MMDA’s command and communications center, for 24-hour traffic monitoring and emergency response.        – philstar.com