Community service instead of traffic violation fine eyed by MMDA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recently conducted a public consultation with the motorcycle community, which tackled issues on NCAP and MC Lane, as well as traffic enforcement and penalties.

One of the issues raised by motorcycle riders, particularly those who are engaged in MC Taxi and courier services, is the seemingly hefty penalties that they can be meted out, especially now that the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) is back. These traffic violation penalties also impose a considerable financial strain on drivers of delivery vans and public utility vehicles (PUVs).

_{MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes}

MMDA Chairman, Atty. Don Artes, has revealed that the agency, sympathetic to the challenges faced by daily motorists, is currently considering allowing traffic violators to settle their fines through community service instead of cash payments.

“Yung mga penalties: sabi nyo nga, hindi commensurate sa kini-kita ninyo. Nagi-isip na po kami ng paraan. Tulad nyan, ini-utos na po ng ating Pangulo na linisin yung mga waterways. Baka pwedeng, tapatan na lang ng community service [yung traffic violation]…Para instead na mawalan kayo ng oras sa hanap-buhay o magbayad kayo na dapat ipa-pakain nyo sa inyong pamilya, ay community service na lang po,” said Artes.

(The penalties: as you yourselves said, they are not commensurate with what you earn. We are already thinking of a way. For example, our President has already ordered the cleaning of waterways. Maybe we can, just replace [the traffic violation penalty] with community service…So that instead of losing time from your livelihood or paying money that should go to feeding your family, it will just be community service.)

Chairman Artes also emphasized the reason why there is a penalty for every traffic violation: it’s to instill discipline and prevent its recurrence. Should this proposal be implemented, the MMDA will develop the framework to convert monetary traffic violation penalties into the corresponding hours of community service.