Makati readies new traffic code

A new traffic enforcement system will be implemented in Makati City by August which will involve the hiring of some 500 additional traffic enforcers expected to result in the apprehension of more violators.

Joey Salgado, of the Makati City Hall-Information and Community Relations Department (ICRD), said that yesterday’s transport and traffic conference attended by representatives from various concerned sectors will result in the creation and implementation of a new City Traffic Code.

Salgado said they started an information dissemination drive two weeks ago, but will conduct a full campaign on the regulations following the one-day conference.

In two months time, the city would have finished printing ordinance violation receipts (OVR) to replace the traffic violation receipts (TVR) currently being issued by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The Makati OVR will be honored by other cities and municipalities. The new traffic ticket was formulated in consultation with other local government units in Metro Manila.

"They will also use this as their benchmark," Salgado said.

Although the MMDA has its own list of traffic violations and corresponding penalties, Mayor Jejomar Binay has never abided by the agency’s regulations.

Salgado said it has always been the mayor’s belief that the MMDA is simply a coordinating body.

"When the mayor was MMDA chairman, he saw what was lacking in the agency. If they cannot expand the MMDA’s mandate, then it would be better to abolish it," he said.

Hermi San Miguel, Makati Public Safety Office (Mapsa) director, said they will increase the number of their traffic enforcers from 450 to 950, of which 60 to 65 percent of personnel would be deployed at the Central Business District (CBD). All the enforcers would have to attend a refresher seminar.

"After the training, we will hire the additional 500 new enforcers within one to two months," he said. "They will concentrate in the business district because this is where many of the traffic violations are committed."

Out of the estimated 170 to 220 traffic violations daily, 120 are committed in the CBD.

Makati business groups, for their part, asked the city government to take drastic steps in disciplining mototrists and pedestrians who commit traffic violations.

Brian Lane, of the Makati Business Development Council’s traffic committee, said Binay should consider adopting draconian policies, if needed, to properly address the CBD traffic problem.

The mayor, he added should also double the fines and increase the ceiling to P5,000.

"Makati has kept fines down just to harmonize with the rest of Metro Manila," Lane said. I say raise the fines, if someone breaks the law, causes traffic chaos, then pays only P2,500, that is not enough. You have to hit them where it hurts."