MMDA: No new 'coding' exemptions for holidays

MANILA, Philippines - As part of its plan to ease the heavy flow of vehicular traffic in Metro Manila during the holidays, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said yesterday it will not entertain any application for exemption to the unified vehicular volume reduction program (UVVRP) or the “number coding” scheme this month.

MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno said exemptions already given to motorists will not be cancelled, but motorists should start renewing their exemptions with the MMDA before the year ends so these could be processed and released by the first week of January 2010.

He said UVVRP exemptions are given on a quarterly basis to qualified motorists and members of media.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes has ordered a crackdown on illegal FX taxis and jeepneys that have sprouted along major streets in Metro Manila.

He said he will form a task force to locate, monitor and identify the operators of these illegal terminals.

Inocentes said MMDA traffic commanders informed him some illegal terminals are run by or are under the protection of local barangay officials and policemen.

The traffic commanders also reported that their men are sometimes reluctant to apprehend FX drivers at illegal terminals because most of them are moonlighting policemen, who would threaten them should they try to disrupt their operation.

Nacianceno advised the traffic enforcers to report the matter immediately to Traffic Operations Center (TOC) executive director Angelito Vergel de Dios.

“In cases like these, if there is a threat to the safety of our traffic officers, knowing they are assigned to certain areas and are therefore easy targets, these should be reported immediately to Director De Dios,” he said.

Nacianceno also suggested that the TOC deploy more men to control these illegal terminals.

Inocentes said the agency is prepared to provide free legal assistance to MMDA personnel who might encounter legal problems in dealing with operators of the illegal terminals.

Inocentes also reiterated to the traffic officers and commanders his earlier directive to drive away vendors who set up in non-vending areas.

He said all the traffic enforcers will do is simply ask the illegal vendors to leave, but they are not allowed to confiscate any of the vendors’ goods or belongings.

“We will have our men man roadways and areas that should not be used by illegal vendors. We will stop and prevent them from setting up their stalls,” Inocentes said.       – Mike Frialde