Metro Manila LGUs shifting to 7am–4pm work hours beginning May 2
“Earlier this week, we reported that all local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila will have adjusted work hours from 7am to 4pm. This was supposed to take effect on Monday, April 15, but now the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have announced that the adjusted work hours will begin on May 2, 2024.
“The postponed implementation will give LGUs more time to prepare for the schedule change and disseminate the information to the public.
“In an interview with Radyo 630, MMDA acting chairman Atty. Romando Artes explained that LGUs may adopt their own schedules, as long as frontline services to the public follow the 7am–4pm timeframe.
“‘Pwede naman pong mag-adjust ang mga LGU, mga government agencies, kung anong suited sa kanila,’ Artes said. ‘Meron pong nagsasabi na mas preferred nila yung four-day workweek, pero nakasentro po ito na 7am magsisimula po yung serbisyo publiko, [at] matatapos ng 4pm.’
“The adjustment of LGU work hours is being implemented to help mitigate traffic congestion in Metro Manila, especially during morning and evening rush hour.”
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E-bike, e-trike ban: Implementing guidelines
“The MMDA begins implementing the ban on e-trikes, e-bikes, and the like on national roads on April 15, 2024, as prescribed by MMDA Regulation No. 24-002, entitled, ‘Prohibiting certain types of transportation and other forms of conveyances from traversing national roads, circumferential roads and radial roads in Metro Manila.’ Ahead of this, the agency has now released the regulation’s implementing guidelines and procedures under MMDA Memorandum Circular No. 04 (Series of 2024).
“It’s not just e-trikes and e-bikes that are affected—non-electric and non-motorized conveyances are covered by the ban, too:
- Tricycle
- Pedicab
- Kuliglig
- Pushcart (kariton)
- Electric tricycle (e-trike)
- Light electric vehicle – an electric kick scooter, electric bicycle (e-bike), electric personal transport, or other similar vehicle weighing less than 50kg
“Note that the implementing guidelines use the term ‘electric scooter’ instead of ‘electric kick scooter’ in its list of light electric vehicles, but it defined the former as ‘an electric-powered vehicle with a steering wheel without a seat and pedals.’
“The driver or the owner shall be fined P2,500, as well as the ‘impoundment, seizure, and confiscation of motor vehicle, in case the vehicle is not registered and/or the driver has no license.’
“The regulation does allow for the following exceptions:
- Tricycles, pedicabs, kuliglig, pushcarts, e-trikes, e-bikes, and other light electric vehicles may cross the aforementioned roads to reach the other side of a road that they bisect, divide, and intersect. For example, coming from Kamuning, the said vehicles may cross EDSA to get to Kamias.
- Tricycles may traverse not more than 500 meters of the aforementioned roads to get to and from a U-turn slot in order to reach the other side of a road that they bisect, divide, and intersect.
- Light electric vehicles may use the established bike lanes on the aforementioned roads pursuant to Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act. Again, e-bikes, e-kick scooters, and other electric-powered devices weighing less than 50kg.
“For the complete list of roads implementing the ban on these modes of transport, click here.”
New ‘key measures’ to improve Metro Manila traffic
“The Presidential Communications Office has released an advisory listing other ‘key measures to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila, all of which will begin implementation either next week or upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
“First, the new fine for illegal parking has been set at P4,000. Current fines range from P200 to P2,000, but the higher penalty should be more effective at discouraging motorists from parking—whether attended or unattended—along sidewalks, bike lanes, roads, and other places where their vehicles will impede traffic flow.
“The P4,000 fine will be implemented beginning April 15.
“Second, Executive Order No. 56, entitled, ‘Regulating the issuance of low-numbered (protocol) license plates to government officials,’ was published in the Official Gazette on March 25. This measure deems previously issued protocol plates under Executive Order No. 400 (Series of 2005) expired, and it also modifies the list of government officials who may be granted authority to use protocol plates. You can find the list and more details on the guidelines here.
“Finally, Administrative Order No. 56, entitled, ‘Prohitibing government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices,’ was published in the Official Gazette on March 25, meaning it is now in effect.
“The use of wang-wang has been resurgent of late, but now, violators ‘shall be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations’” Again, government officials and personnel are completely banned from using signaling and flashing devices; sirens, blinkers, and the like may only be used ‘under exigent or emergency circumstances or situations” by official motor vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as fire trucks, hospital ambulances, and other emergency vehicles.”
Vehicle with Escudero’s ‘7’ caught on EDSA Busway
“The EDSA Busway traffic enforcers are on a roll this week. Senator Chiz Escudero has admitted to being the owner of the ‘7’ protocol license plate worn by a black Toyota Land Cruiser that was apprehended for using the EDSA Busway on April 11. This comes mere days after former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson’s convoy was also pulled over for using the bus lane.
“The driver of the vehicle with Escudero’s protocol plate fled as a traffic enforcer of the Department of Transportation’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) wrote out his traffic violation ticket. The apprehending enforcers were not able to see if there were passengers inside the vehicle.
“In an official statement released on April 12, Escudero confirmed that the protocol license plate was his, but its use was ‘unauthorized, as the vehicle was being driven by the driver of a family member.’
“‘The No. 7 protocol plate was also abused because vehicles with these plates are not allowed to use bus lanes,’ the statement goes on.
“‘Following the incident, I have directed the driver to appear before the MMDA to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and to answer the charges he faces for the violation.’
“In November 2023, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) released a revised list of vehicles allowed to use the EDSA Busway:
- Buses authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for the EDSA Busway route
- On-duty ambulances, firetrucks, and Philippine National Police vehicles
- Service vehicles performing their duties for the EDSA Busway Project, including but not limited to construction, security, janitorial, and maintenance services
- Convoy of the President
- Convoy of the Vice President
- Convoy of the Senate President
- Convoy of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Convoy of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
“The illegal use of the EDSA Busway carries a fine of P5,000 for the first offense, but in the past, violators who tried to escape apprehension had been automatically given the third-offense fine of P20,000, plus P1,000 for reckless driving. Meanwhile, the unauthorized use of protocol plates is punishable by confiscation of the plates and revocation of the granted authority to use them, plus other appropriate penalties including administrative sanction.”
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11-month EDSA-Kamuning flyover closure
“The MMDA confirmed in a recent press briefing that the retrofitting of the Kamuning Flyover will commence in a few weeks on April 25, 2024, and road works will last for 11 months. Throughout this period, the flyover will only be partially closed and will remain passable to all motorists.
“This retrofitting procedure is necessary to prevent further damage to the flyover and keep its structural integrity in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake. In light of these impending repairs, the MMDA will make the necessary preparations in an attempt to minimize its adverse effects on traffic in the area.
“The agency said it will intensify its clearing operations within the vicinity and has coordinated with authorities and local government units to help divert and manage traffic flow in the area.”
