As reported earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will authorize traffic enforcers of local government units (LGUs) to continue implementing local traffic ordinances and issuing violation tickets, despite a Supreme Court order to make the single ticketing system mandatory in Metro Manila. The order is“ not yet final and executory,” says the MMDA, and at least three LGUs have expressed their intent to file a motion for the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision.
But should the order become final and executory, what does that mean for local traffic ordinances—especially number coding?
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Expressway above Katipunan, EDSA being discussed
As early as now, the MMDA is looking to revise the 2023 Metro Manila Traffic Code and expand the list of common violations under the single ticketing system, in case the latter’s implementation becomes mandatory. “Magsa-submit po ang mga LGUs natin dito sa NCR ng list ng mga violations na seemingly in conflict with the single ticketing system,” said MMDA acting chairman Atty. Romando Artes during a press conference. “Meron po kasing mga LGUs na walang number coding, meron naman pong walang window.
“Yung mga violations naman po na wala sa single ticketing system, ire-revise po namin yung [system] to cover as many common violations as possible para po yung maiwan lang [for LGU implementation] ay purely local matter, which, under the Supreme Court decision ay na-retain po sa mga LGUs.
“Kailangan nating i-reconcile yang mga traffic rules ng bawat LGU na maaaring may conflict sa single ticketing,” Artes went on. “Kasi dito satin, sa MMDA, ang single ticketing ay may window at ine-enforce natin yan. May mga cities kasi na walang window or completely walang number coding scheme.
“With the Supreme Court decision na kailangang mag-abide sa single ticketing system, lahat po kailangang maging common na yan kasi yan pong regulation na yan ay nagta-transcend ng boundaries. Hindi po siya pwedeng i-consider as purely local, so dapat po sumunod lahat. Kapag ang traffic regulation or rule ay nakakaapekto sa lahat, hindi lamang sa particular LGU, kailangan po isa lang ang rule namin. Kailangan po uniform kami all throughout Metro Manila.”
Artes again reiterated that the mandatory use of single ticketing will not be implemented yet because a motion for reconsideration may be filed within 15 days of the decision’s release: “In the meantime, kahit nagbigay kami ng provisional deputization, pwede pa pong gamitin ng mga LGUs ang kanilang local traffic ordinance.”
As mentioned earlier, at least three LGUs intend to make an appeal: Makati, Manila, and Mandaluyong. Makati City, in particular, is known for enforcing its own number coding regulations—and it seldom suspends the implementation of number coding on holidays. Do you think it’s possible to implement a standardized number coding system in the capital region?
