The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has cleared the air on whether or not private vehicles, specifically pickups and cargo carriers, need ‘not for hire’ stickers on them.
In a recent press conference, MMDA chairman Atty. Romando Artes stated that the traffic enforcer involved in the viral verbal dispute with a Toyota Tamaraw owner was mistaken, and that the owner instead committed a colorum violation.
“Ang violation po niyan, hindi po ‘not for hire.’ Ang violation po ay colorum,” Artes said. “Hindi lamang po siguro nakikinig yung aming enforcer noon pong itinuro ito sa kanya, kaya hindi maipaliwanag kung ano po yung violation.”
Since then, the agency has confirmed that private vehicles do not need to display ‘not for hire’ badges or stickers. The MMDA enforcer involved will be relieved of his post after the appropriate charges have been filed and carried out.
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Prior to this, there was no clear ruling on whether ‘not for hire’ stickers were required on private vehicles. Republic Act No. 4136, also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, does not provide such a requirement, although “no ‘not for hire’ sign” is among the MMDA’s list of traffic violations. At least the agency has now clarified that private vehicles do not need to have these stickers affixed on them.
The firing of the traffic enforcer involved feels a bit extreme given the confusing nature of the matter, but hopefully, everyone learns from this incident. With a more definite ruling, motorists and traffic enforcers can move forward with cooler and clearer heads.
