MMDA sets sights on jaywalkers

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will intensify its drive against jaywalkers as part of its overall plan for the opening of this classes school year.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday ordered the deployment of additional traffic personnel to stop people from crossing areas of streets not marked as pedestrian crossings to curb the incidence of children being hit by cars.

“What we want to do is discipline the public to use cross the road at right places,” said Tolentino.

Pedestrians caught crossing at prohibited areas along major thoroughfares will be stopped by MMDA traffic enforcers and issued a ticket for violating the anti-jaywalking law, said Tolentino.

“Violators will be made to pay P150 as ?ne or do community service,” said Tolentino. “We also ask motorists to respect the areas for pedestrians.”

MMDA Traffic and Transport Management Office director Noemi Recio said that they are coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to determine the areas near schools where traffic enforcers are needed to stop jaywalkers.