MMDA to start fining bus drivers defying tagging scheme

Starting Monday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will start fining city bus drivers still defying its tagging scheme for public utility vehicles. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency is not inclined to extend the one-week grace period for drivers to comply, even as he maintained the move aims to instill discipline. "Sana maging maayos bukas ang implementation... hindi sa panghuli kundi sa pagkakaroon ng disiplina pakikipagtulungan para sa bus management system ng Metro Manila," Tolentino said in an interview on dzBB radio. The MMDA also issued a reminder on its Twitter account: "REMINDER TO ALL BUS OPERATORS: Strict enforcement of Vehicle Tagging Scheme starts tomorrow, Monday August 22. Non-compliance = fine."
Under the scheme, first-time violators will be fined P500. On the second offense, the MMDA will recommend the cancellation or suspension of franchise to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. The MMDA had started implementing the tagging scheme last week but only gave violators a reminder. “On the first week, we will only give warning to the city bus drivers and conductors but after that, we will be very strict with the enforcement of this resolution. Any city bus caught violating the scheme shall be meted appropriate sanctions," Tolentino had said in an earlier news release. By October, the MMDA plans to expand the tagging program to include other PUVs such as:

• provincial buses
• Asian utility vehicles
• school shuttle service
• taxis
• cargo trucks

The vehicle-tagging scheme aims to track down colorum (unlicensed vehicles) and out-of-line PUVs and improve the traffic monitoring and surveillance of the MMDA. It also aims to facilitate easy tracking and identification of traffic violators as the license plate numbers of the PUVs will be painted prominently on the roofs - allowing the MMDA’s closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras to capture images and identify them. Also, the vehicle tagging is expected to enhance public safety and security as law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police can monitor and track down marked PUVs during emergency situations. — LBG, GMA News