MMDA: PUV tagging scheme to cover only city buses for now

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said only city buses will be covered by the agency's vehicle tagging scheme for now. Metro Manila mayors have deferred for 90 days the implementation of the vehicle tagging scheme for other public utility vehicles (PUVs), excluding city buses. The MMDA said the decision stemmed from consultations and dialogues with transport groups on the matter. "Provincial bus operators have formally requested for the postponement of the vehicle tagging scheme which has been set for implementation on July 25, citing that there is a pending proposal in Congress to utilize an electronic identification system for all PUVs, which might conflict with the tagging scheme," the MMDA said in a news release posted on its website. Meanwhile, city bus operators pledged their support for the scheduled implementation of the tagging scheme, especially those plying Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). According to the MMDA, the city bus operators believe the tagging scheme would eventually curb the operations of colorum buses. Last February, the MMC approved MMDA Resolution No. 11-02 Series of 2011, strictly implementing vehicle tagging of all registered and franchised PUVs plying along the major and secondary thoroughfares of Metro Manila. The scheme will facilitate easy tracking and identification of violators because the license plates of the PUVs will be painted prominently on their roofs, making it easy for the CCTV cameras to capture images and identify them. Presently, the MMDA has 68 operational CCTVs in major thoroughfares, which are monitored and controlled round-the-clock by the agency's command center in Makati City. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has pledged to donate 1,000 sets of CCTVs to the agency. The MMC, the policy-making body of MMDA composed of Metro Manila's mayors, held its regular meeting this week at the Manila Yacht Club. Present at the meeting were Mayors Sherwin Gatchalian (Valenzuela), Alfredo Lim (Manila), Aldrin San Pedro (Muntinlupa), Florencio Bernabe (Parañaque), Antonino Calixto (Pasay), Enrico Echiverri (Caloocan), Jaime Medina (Pateros), and representatives of the other local government units. - VVP, GMA News