TRANSPORT STRIKE
Number-coding scheme not suspended, says MMDA

Posted 01:43am (Mla time) April 18, 2005
By Tarra Quismundo
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A22 of the Apr. 18, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

IN SPITE of the threat of a metrowide strike by various transport groups, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it would not be suspending the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number-coding scheme today.

"We are not lifting the [number-coding scheme]," said Angelito Vergel de Dios, MMDA Traffic Operations Center executive director.

He further belittled the strike, which is part of a planned nationwide transport holiday, by saying those participating in the stoppage were "only small groups" having disagreements among themselves.

"So what could you expect [from the strike]?" Vergel de Dios said yesterday in a phone interview.

On the other hand, Vergel de Dios announced that other transport groups in the National Capital Region would be busy forging a pact with the MMDA regarding changes in the implementation of the agency's traffic schemes.

Schemes revised

Following months of meetings, the MMDA and a number of bus, jeepney and FX groups will finally seal an agreement on the revised versions of the Metropolitan Traffic Ticket (MTT) and No Contact Traffic Apprehension (NCTA) schemes.

"Once they sign (the agreement), they will have no more reason not to follow the schemes," said Vergel de Dios.

The MTT is a traffic apprehension scheme that does away with the confiscation of driver's licenses of errant drivers, as traffic violators need only pay their traffic fines in any Metrobank branch.

The NCTA, meanwhile, provides for an apprehension system where strategically posted traffic enforcers with still and video cameras take shots of the license plates of vehicles violating traffic rules.

The MMDA then summons vehicle owners based on their registration records with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Vehicle owners are then required to pay the corresponding fine under the MTT.

The modified schemes, which have already been enforced, were changed to include recommendations of the transport groups.

Earlier, transport groups sought a restraining order against the MTT, NCTA and the Organized Bus Route schemes of the MMDA, claiming these violated their "right to due process."

Backdoor talks

While the case was being heard by the Makati Regional Trial Court, the MMDA met with transport groups to come up with amendments on the schemes that would be acceptable to all.

Among the changes were the extension from 3 to 5 days of the period during which motorists could protest a citation.

Also extended was the grace period for the payment of fines. It was lengthened to 15 days from 7 days.

Vergel de Dios was confident about the attendance in today's covenant signing, as he said the scheduled transport holiday might very well fizzle out.

He said he was expecting the attendance of almost all metro transport groups except the Philippine Confederation of Drivers and Operators-Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (PCDO-ACTO) and Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), which are two of the biggest transport groups in the country.

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