By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the apparent “bad joke” of Vice President Sara Duterte appointing herself as the designated survivor after declaring that she won’t attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of her 2022 running mate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday (13 July 2024) said it will be deploying 1,329 personnel to assist in traffic management on that specific event.
This came on the heels of the announcement of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that it will be deploying 22,000 police personnel for the third SONA of the President on July 22, 2024, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
It will be the first time the Vice President will skip the SONA of PBBM following their stirring electoral victory in the 2022 national elections running in tandem with UniTeam.
A nationwide gun ban will also be imposed nationwide on that day, the MMDA said.
At the Saturday News Forum, MMDA Traffic Operations Officer Manny Miro disclosed that they will be in charge of traffic management for vehicles and pedestrians and serve as emergency respondents on SONA day.
Miro said MMDA personnel will also conduct road and sidewalk clearing and monitor traffic on highways leading to Batasan.
Earlier, House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” S. Velasco told reporters that protest rallies will be prohibited near the Batasan building.
On Friday (12 July 2024), House Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales castigated VP Sara for uttering such a statement, saying that she will not attend the SONA as she is the “designated survivor.”
“Implying that something bad will happen when President Marcos Jr. delivers his SONA is a very serious matter that warrants an investigation. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, especially coming from a very popular Vice President who garnered a resounding 32 million votes in the last presidential elections,” Gonzales noted.
VP Sara, however, did not expound on her statement that widely drew flak from many quarters for being “insensitive.”
Political observers noted a hit television series titled “Designated Survivor,” which has US and South Korean versions, that similarly unfolded with the President delivering his state address when bombs suddenly blasted the entire venue, killing many attendees, including the President and all public officials in the line of succession.
As such, the unwilling “designated survivor” in the movie took his oath of office and assumed the seat of power.
Duterte’s “bad joke” also drew a negative remark from Manila Congressman Joel Chua saying it was uncalled for and unnecessary for the second most powerful government official of the land to designate herself as such because, under the law on succession, she is next in line and would automatically assume power any moment the chief executive becomes incapable dispensing his or her mandate.
With reports from Lizelle Soriano (el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Strike Force has been busy clearing Commonwealth Avenue and Batasan Road in Quezon City in preparation for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the end of the month.
The team removed various obstructions from the sidewalks along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and towed vehicles that were illegally parked on the service road of Batasan Road.
According to the MMDA, the service road is often misused as a parking area, even though it’s not designated for that purpose.
“This area is a major thoroughfare connecting Quezon City to San Mateo, Rizal. It’s crucial to keep the roads and sidewalks free from obstructions. The vehicles parked here aren’t from the local area; it’s become a practice to leave cars on the service road overnight,” said Gabriel Go, the OIC head of the MMDA Strike Force.
Earlier in the day, the MMDA also inspected obstructions on alternative routes for motorists, including Biak na Bato, Sgt. Rivera, and Banawe in Quezon City.
The operation resulted in more than 50 vehicles being ticketed, and over 25 of them were towed because their drivers were absent.
(el Amigo/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes stressed that only Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, other law enforcement agencies and emergency vehicles may use sirens and blinkers.
“Sa atin pong kautusan ng Pangulo, PNP, AFP, tska mga law enforcement services lamang at emergency vehicles, ‘yun lamang po ‘yung nakalagay at ‘yun naman po ay susundin natin at strictly i-eenforce,” Artes said in a radio interview.
The MMDA official said they are currently waiting for the guidelines which will be issued by the Department of Transportation regarding the use of wang-wang, sirens and blinkers of unauthorized persons.
Meanwhile, on the issue of protocol plates, Artes said that some government officials were not surrending their plates even after their political terms.
He said that the protocol plates should be taken from those officials whose term ended.
“‘Yung mga current lang na entitled diyan po sa mga protocol plates na ‘yun lamang po ‘yung ma-isyuhan… Dapat nga po siguro [kunin],” Artes said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — The Supreme Court has upheld the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) Single Ticketing System (STS), effectively barring local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila from issuing their traffic violation tickets.
In a decision authored by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa and dated July 11, 2023, but only made public this week, the Court declared invalid the ordinances of 15 Metro Manila LGUs that permitted them to issue traffic violation tickets and ordinance violation receipts, as well as confiscate licenses of erring motorists.
However, the Court clarified that other local ordinances remain valid and unaffected by this ruling. It emphasized that the autonomy of LGUs is safeguarded by the structure of the MMDA as established by the MMDA Law.
The directive mandates LGUs to adhere to the STS, which standardizes and harmonizes fines and penalties for common traffic violations across the National Capital Region. Covering both major and secondary thoroughfares within Metro Manila’s jurisdictional bounds, the STS aims to streamline the enforcement of traffic regulations.
The decision resolves a petition filed by drivers and operators of public utility vehicles on December 21, 2006. The petition challenged the ticketing system of the 15 LGUs, arguing that their traffic code provisions contravene sections 29 and 62 of the Land Transportation Office law, which grants authority to the agency to confiscate driver’s licenses and issue prescribed receipts for violations of local traffic rules and regulations.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — It’s summertime and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has initiated again the implementation of a 30-minute ‘heat stroke break’ for its street workers.
This measure is part of the agency’s efforts to prevent summer-related illnesses among its field personnel.
MMDA Chairperson Atty. Don Artes announced the implementation of the 30-minute heat stroke break.
Under this policy, traffic enforcers and street sweepers are allowed to take a 30-minute break from their duties to rest.
During this break, they can hydrate, seek shade, and rest.
With the anticipated intensification of heat until May, exacerbated by the El Niño effect, the importance of such breaks cannot be overstated.
(el Amigo/MNM)
Ni Liza Soriano
MANILA — Iimbestigahan ng Senado ang mga plano at programa ng Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) upang maresolba ang patuloy na pagsisikip ng daloy ng trapiko sa Metro Manila at mga karatig-lalawigan.
Sa Senate Resolution 859 na inihain ni Senate Majority leader Joel Villanueva, inaatasan ang kaukulang komite sa Senado na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon “in aid of legislation” para alamin ang mga plano at programa ng MMDA para malutas ang matinding daloy ng trapiko.
Base sa datos ng Asian Development Outlook 2019, lumalabas na ang Metro Manila ang pinaka-congested city sa may 278 siyudad mula sa 25 developing Asian countries at kailangan ding maglaan ang mga driver dito ng halos 100% oras kapag bumibiyahe tuwing peak hours.
Nakasaad pa sa resolusyon ni Villanueva na ang matinding pagsisikip ng daloy ng trapiko ay may matinding epekto sa personal, social, environmental at sa ekonomiya, gayundin sa kalusugan ng mga commuter.
Lumalabas din sa pag-aaral ng World Health Organization (WHO), na ang traffic congestion ay may masamang epekto sa kalusugan ng mga commuter at nakapagpapataas ng lebel ng fatigue at anxiety at nagdudulot din ng hirap sa pakikipagkomunikasyon at pagtulog.
Ang usok din umano na inilalabas ng mga sasakayan ay nagdudulot ng polusyon tulad ng carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Nauna nang nagbabala ang MMDA sa commuters ng 10% hanggang 20% na increase sa traffic volume o aabot sa 417,000 hanggang 430,000 sasakyan ang dadaan sa EDSA kada araw dahil sa holiday season.
Dahil dito, iginiit ni Villnaueva na dapat nang repasuhin ang mga polisiya, programa at plano ng MMDA, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno para maibsan ang mabigat na daloy ng trapiko sa Pilipinas.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In a joint effort to enhance road safety and fortify the integrity of the vehicle registration system, the House of Representatives and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have officially agreed to apprehend drivers utilizing protocol plates bearing the number ‘8.’
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, following a meeting with MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes announced the collaborative initiative to confiscate expired or spurious plates.
Velasco emphasized the importance of curbing the use of unauthorized special plates, citing their threat to public safety and the potential compromise of the vehicle registration system’s integrity.
In line with this commitment, Velasco previously issued a memorandum mandating the surrender of all old ‘8’ plates, clarifying that no lawmakers in the 19th Congress have been issued such protocol plates.
“The House leadership remains steadfast in upholding the law and ensuring the proper and lawful use of vehicle identification plates,” Velasco stated.
The objective is to eradicate spurious, expired, and fake plates before issuing new ones. The ‘8’ car plate is specifically reserved for vehicles belonging to members of the House.
(ai/mnm)
NABUKING ang Metro Manila Development Authority sa sobrang mahal na pagbili nito ng body-worn cameras nang komprontahin ng isang senador ang grupo ng hepe nitong si Don Artes sa mali umanong pag-uulat sa mga nahuling lumabag sa paggamit ng bus lane sa Edsa.
Hindi pa natukoy kung ilang milyong-pIso ang nagastos sa pinaniwalaang overpriced procurement body-bodycam na mabibili lang sa halagang P20,000 sa lehitimong supplier.
Sa pagharap nina Chairman Artes at traffic enforcers nito kay Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla ay tinanong ng senador kung may bodycam silang ginamit sa pagtupad ng kanilang trabaho.
Ang naging tugon sa tanong ng senador ang nagbunyag na ang regular na presyo ng body-worn cameras na nagkakahalaga lamang ng hindi hihigit sa P20,000 ay binili ng MMDA sa halagang P60,000 bawat isa.
Sa pagkabunyag ng pinaniwalaang overpriced procurement na bodycam ay agaran namang nanawagan ang ilang mambabatas na imbestigahan at kastiguhin ang mga opisyales ng MMDA na mapatunayang nasa likod ng posibleng procurement anomaly.
Kasama nang pinaimbestigahan sa Kamara ang iba pang umano’y mga maanomalyang procurement ng iba’t-ibang kagamitan ‘tulad ng mga trak na panghakot ng basura.
Kasama na ring ipinabusisi ang umabo’y mga projects sa naturang ahensiya na umabot sa higit bilyong-pisong halaga na kwestiyunable umano ang proseso at ilan pa sa winning bidders ay pinagdudahang pag-aari ng, o kasosyo ang, mismong matataas na opisyal ng MMDA at Commission on Audit.
Sa komprontasyon nina Sen. Revilla at grupo ni Chairman Artes ay sinahi ng mambabatas na napakalaki ng pondong inilaan ng MMDA sa pagbili ng body cam na magsisilbing ‘mata’ sa mga operasyon ng ahensiya.
“Hindi ba mayroon kayong body cam, tapos ang laki ng pondo ng MMDA sa body cam, P60,000 per camera, pero you believe sa mga hearsay tapos babanggitin nyo sa media, para mag-name drop ng senador na hindi kayo sigurado at based on hearsay lang,” pagsita ng senador sa grupo ni Charman Artes
Nauna nang inihayag ni Revilla na ipatatawag niya ang MMDA at nagbantang ipare-recall pa ang budget nito makaraang pagbintangan siya na nahuling dumaan sa Edsa bus lane. (END)
MANILA– Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) head Romando Arteson Thursday addressed the suspension of Task Force Special Operations Unit Head Col. Bong Nebrija, attributing it to the mistakes committed by the officer.
Artes emphasized that the decision to suspend Nebrija was not influenced by any political pressure.
“I would like to clarify that the suspension is not due to political pressure or any external influence but because Col. Bong Nebrija made a mistake,” Artes asserted.
Highlighting the specific errors made by Nebrija, Artes underlined that the suspension was not a result of political interference.
He further mentioned that Nebrija should refrain from disclosing the identities of those apprehended, citing privacy concerns.
Artes outlined the issues at hand, stating, “Firstly, the announcement by Bong Nebrija that two individuals were apprehended is fake news.
Secondly, he overlooked a crucial aspect by mentioning a policy within the agency that supposedly allows courtesy to Congressmen or Senators when using the bus carousel.
This is incorrect because, as the MMDA leadership insists, only the exemptions granted by the Department of Transportation for the bus carousel should be observed.”
The controversy arose when Nebrija alleged that Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla utilized the special bus lane on EDSA, an accusation promptly denied by Revilla.
The MMDA’s clarification seeks to address the public discourse surrounding Nebrija’s suspension, firmly establishing that it is rooted in the officer’s actions rather than any external pressures.
(AI/MNM)
On Monday, November 13, 2023, over one hundred motorists were apprehended by combined personnel of the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) on Monday (13 November 2023) apprehended more than 100 EDSA Carousel lanes violators in Pasay City alone.
As such, starting today, Monday (13 Nov) higher fines will accordingly be imposed by authorities on motorists utilizing the Edsa Carousel lanes without authorization.
Both public and private utility vehicles caught making unauthorized use of bus lanes will face heftier fines.
The MMDA has initiated the enforcement of increased fines for violators using the Busway along Edsa as follows:
A) First offense – P5,000
B) 2nd offense – P10,000 plus one-month suspension of the driver’s license and mandatory road seminar.
C) 3rd offense – P20,000 plus one-year suspension of the driver’s license.
D) 4th offense – P30,000 plus possible revocation of the driver’s license.
These new fines aim to enhance the safety of motorists and ensure the smooth travel of buses in designated lanes, according to the MMDA.
(Report and photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)