Motorists can now navigate Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares with their iPhone and iPad devices again, after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)’s updated app made it to Apple’s App Store.

The MMDA’s updated app, version 2.0.3, went live on the App Store as of Wednesday morning, Manila time.

“MMDA iOS app v2.0.3 is out. Update fixes 2012 bug. Also includes updated UVVRP FAQ (frequently asked questions on the number coding scheme) and MMDA Directory, (and) new Impoundable Violations FAQ,” MMDA traffic discipline office head Yves Gonzalez said on his Twitter account.

A description of the updated app said it allows users to:

• View the traffic situation in System, Map or Line View
• Includes EDSA, C5, SLEX, Roxas Blvd, Ortigas, Commonwealth, Marcos Highway, Katipunan, Espana, and Quezon Ave.
• Share or Report traffic info via Twitter
• View problem areas so you can avoid them
• See MMDA FAQs built-in for your guidance
• Includes MMDA Directory

The MMDA said its iOS app is the first Philippine government agency mobile application that allows one to view Metro Manila’s traffic situation in an easy to use and convenient app.

According to the App Store, the app is an 8.8-mb free download, in English and German.

It runs on Apple devices running iOS 4.0 or later.

Earlier, Gonzalez cited complaints by iPhone and iPad owners that their apps were not updating starting the New Year.

Gonzalez said they traced the problem to a bug that instructed the app to download updates only in 2011 – making it stop updating in 2012.

“2012′s 1st lesson for me: Code for all time, not just the current year. The MMDA app v2.0.2 code literally had a ’2011′ string hardcoded,” he said in a post on his Twitter account.

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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) stood pat on its decision to impose a number-coding scheme for public utility buses on Monday as it apologized for the inconvenience caused by a strike staged by bus operators.

MMDA spokeswoman Tina Velasco said Monday that despite the strike, the number-coding scheme puts them on the right track to decongest Metro Manila’s main roads.

“Ipagpasensya ng publiko sa nangyayari ngayon, we are just starting to implement this (pero) hindi namin ititigil ito,” she said in an interview on dzBB radio.

(We apologize to the public for the inconvenience. We are just starting to implement this scheme. But the strike will not make us stop implementing it)

Velasco said they are studying the filing of charges against the bus operators behind the strike, for possible economic sabotage.

“We are reviewing all of these. We are just here to implement the law but with regard to compassion and public safety,” she said.

The number-coding scheme, officially named the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), is a traffic management program of the MMDA aimed to reduce the amount of vehicular traffic in Metro Manila.

Vehicles whose plate numbers end in a particular number are barred from using the main streets of Metro Manila on particular days.

Vehicles whose plate numbers end in 1 or 2, for instance, cannot travel through Metro Manila’s main streets on Mondays.Sanctions vs bus operators

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said their agency is coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) about possibly imposing sanctions against the bus operators involved in Monday’s strike.

Tolentino also insisted there are enough vehicles from the MMDA and Armed Forces of the Philippines to accommodate commuters affected by the strike.

Meanwhile, she said they are trying to cope with the inconvenience caused by the sudden bus strike.

She said the MMDA is now tracking its traffic enforcer teams, many of which were reported absent in key Metro Manila roads.

Velasco said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino proceeded to check the situation along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

“We (are supposed to) have 15 MMDA enforcers at every point especially Commonwealth. We will make sure we have people there,” she said.

Cops deployed to protect buses

Meanwhile, teams composed of police and MMDA personnel were deployed to protect passenger buses that did not take part in the strike.

Radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported the teams, deployed by the Quezon City police, include two MMDA and police personnel each.

Superintendent Alex Sintin of the Quezon City police said the teams will protect bus drivers and passengers from those taking part in the strike.

He said the police component of the teams will come from the Metro Manila police’s regional public safety battalion.

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The Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) has imposed stricter sanctions against public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and companies involved in road accidents, an official said on Tuesday.

Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Thompson Lantion said the directive of DoTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza was to immediately suspend the license of any PUV driver involved in a road accident, particularly those resulting in deaths.

At the same time, the LTFRB should immediately issue a cease and desist order against the PUV company involved, Lantion added.

Under LTFRB rules, the agency has the capacity to suspend by not more than 30 days the franchise class, or the particular franchise route, of a PUV pending investigation, he said.

“The LTFRB can suspend by not more than 30 days if there is an accident, especially if someone has died as a result of it. The PUV firm can be suspended pending investigation. That is why there is a show cause order and immediate hearing. That is according to regulation and the law,” Lantion said in Filipino.

The move by Mendoza, Lantion said, was to serve as a warning to PUVs after the two road accidents that occurred within the month.

Two speeding buses rammed a Mercedes Benz along EDSA last October 21, leading to the death of Dr. Francisco Sarabia and leaving three others injured.

On Monday, a jeepney fell into a ravine in Batangas province, leaving nine dead and several others injured.

“Dapat pag-iingat eh, importante ang kaligtasan ng buhay ng tao [We should be careful, the safety of people is important],” Lantion said.

By Abigail Kwok, Inquirer.net

Photo by jessmtb2000

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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Sunday reiterated that the yellow lanes on EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) are off-limits to armored vans which carry cash from banks or other establishments.

MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando said that drivers of armored vehicles were among the most frequent violators of traffic rules, often citing security as an excuse.According to Fernando, he has ordered the agency’s traffic enforcers to go after armored van drivers who insist on using the yellow lanes which are reserved for both provincial buses and passenger buses plying Metro Manila.

“Drivers of armored vans should not think that they are above the law just because they carry a large amount of money. They should not think that they are exempted from the law,” he said.

The MMDA earlier warned motorists using EDSA that it would strictly enforce the yellow lane policy as part of its Organized Bus Route scheme.

Fernando said that armored van owners should just beef up their security or coordinate with enforcement agencies if they feel that they need more protection.

“They should not think that [they are exempted from following the law] just because they are carrying a large amount of cash. That’s why they have those heavily armed security escorts—to take care of any threats,” he said, adding that his office has received several complaints from motorists about armored van drivers.

Ambulances and other emergency and rescue vehicles, as well as fire trucks and police and military vehicles, are allowed on the yellow lane but only during emergencies.

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