Isko Moreno wants MMDA to take over traffic function in LGUs

MANILA, Philippines - If Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno would have his way, he would want the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to take control of all traffic management duties in Metro Manila, and not only limited to EDSA and the other major thoroughfares.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting at the Manila Yacht Club between the Metro mayors and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Moreno said he and the other mayors of Metro Manila have proposed the creation of a Metropolis Traffic Management System to be attached to the MMDA.

The creation of the Metropolis Traffic Management System would give MMDA traffic enforcers control of areas previously only handled by traffic enforcers of the various local government units of Metro Manila, said Moreno.

With only MMDA traffic enforcers handling traffic in all Metro roads, there would be a uniformity in the traffic violation tickets to be issued to erring motorists as well as standardized the penalty fees.

“We suggested kung pwedeng magkaroon ng isang Metropolis Traffic Management System. Ang ibig sabihin nun,  ‘yung mga traffic enforcement ng LGUs ay ibibigay na sa MMDA.  Kailangan nang magparaya ang mga alkalde para maging centralized ang traffic management. Ngayon wala na tayo paguusapan na boundaries kasi ang ordinance ay based on jurisdictions. Pagdating sa boundary, tatakbo yung violator, hindi na effective yung ordinansa sa ibang bayan,” he said.

“Yung suggestion namin is not to create a super agency at an additional cost for the national government.  Through the MMDA na lang ang lahat ng traffic management dito sa Metro Manila. Dapat magkaroon lang ng isang batas, isang huli, isang pupurihin, isang pagagalitan ng tao. Magkakakroon ng sense of responsibility at mawawala yung turu-turuan,” Moreno added.

Meanwhile, Moreno said tire clamping of illegally parked vehicles in Manila would still be implemented by the city government to clear streets for use by traffic as alternate routes.

Moreno added that obstructions in Manila streets that have been identified as alternate routes, will be removed and cleared by the city government. Among the obstructions to be cleared are illegaly parked vehicles and basketball courts.