Latest news with #MMDA
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- GMA Network
MMDA mulls narrower bike lane, wider motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Ave.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Friday it plans to propose the reduction of the width of the bicycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue to provide more space for motorcycle riders. MMDA director for traffic enforcement Vic Nuñez said that ever since the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) resumed last month, there has been overcrowding along the exclusive motorcycle lane on Commonwealth Avenue, especially during rush hours. With this, he said that the MMDA has come up with several proposed interventions to ease the woes of riders: -Reduce the width of the existing bike lane to create additional space for the existing motorcycle lane; -Shift the fourth private lane from the MRT-7 to the right beside the PUV lane; -Remove the existing bike lane to provide additional space to the existing motorcycle lane along Commonwealth Avenue; -Reconfigure the current bike lane and redesignate it to establish a dedicated lane for motorcycle taxis and similar vehicles Nuñez said that the widening of the motorcycle lane may be possible as long as the existing bike lane still has enough space for cyclists, ranging from five meters or wider. 'Sa motorcycle lane, ang travel time mababawasan ng 11%, ang travel speed [madadagdagan ng] 12%. Due to the additional lane width for the motorcycle lane, it will accommodate more motorcycles,' he explained. (The travel time along the motorcycle lane will be reduced by 11%, while the travel speed will increase by 12%.) 'Sa motorcycle lane, travel time ay 36% ang decrease, ang travel speed ay 63% [ang increase]. The wider lane significantly improves traffic flow by accommodating more motorcycles,' the MMDA official added. MMDA chairman Romando Artes, however, pointed out that they will still have to coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Quezon City local government regarding their proposals. He also underscored the importance of road sharing and providing cyclists a path along Commonwealth Avenue where they can safely use their bicycles. 'Ang bicycle lane hindi kami nagde-decide. 'Yung sinasabi niyo po na bicycle lane, trap 'yan, nilagay namin dahil gusto namin na ma-tempt kayo na pumasok para may penalty, hindi po. Hindi namin programa ang bicycle lane at hindi kami ang solo nagde-decide,' Artes explained. (We're not the ones deciding on the bicycle lane. It's not true that we use the bicycle lane as a trap to give you penalties when you cross it. The bicycle lane is not our program and we are not the only ones deciding on that.) The NCAP was resumed after the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement it anew. The NCAP uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras, and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images of vehicles violating traffic laws. Violators can pay fines online or at the MMDA office, and they can also contest their supposed violations caught under the policy.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos backs NCAP: That lessens corruption
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed support for the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), saying it helps reduce corruption involving law enforcers and motorists. "In principle, agree ako diyan sa no contact. Agree ako diyan, magandang layunin niyan. Ang layunin niyan is 'yung traffic ano, masundan 'yung rules of the road na 'di tayo kung anu-ano 'yung ginagawa natin," Marcos said during an episode of the BBM Podcast on Friday. (In principle, I agree with the no contact policy. Its goal is laudable. It aims to ensure that the rules of the road are followed, while doing away with all sorts of other acts.) "Bawas 'yan sa korapsyon (That lessens corruption)," Marcos added. Contrary to the view of critics of the policy, Marcos said the NCAP would ensure that extortion will no longer be practiced. "Para sa akin it will be the opposite… Ito it will be based solely kung ano 'yung nasa picture. Magbabayad siya ng multa, hindi binibigay sa kahit kaninong tao, it's straight to the system," Marcos said. (It will be the opposite. It will be based solely on what's in the picture. They will pay penalties, which will go straight to the system.) The NCAP uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras, and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images of vehicles violating traffic laws. Under the policy, violators can pay fines online or at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) office. They can also contest their supposed violations caught under the NCAP. The NCAP was resumed after the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement it. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Motorist may be fined P150k for using EDSA busway 309 times — MMDA
A motorist may be fined up to P150,000 for the unauthorized use of the EDSA busway 309 times, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). In Vonne Aquino's Wednesday report on 'Saksi,' MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the motorist kept using the EDSA busway at night, where it is dark and no traffic enforcers were deployed from August 2024 to last Friday. 'Irereklamo na po namin siya sa LTO for suspension ng license [at] kung ano pa pwedeng penalty ipataw sa kanya,' Artes said. (We will file a complaint before the LTO (Land Transportation Office) for the suspension of his license and other penalties.) The MMDA showed CCTV footage of the motorist to underscore the importance of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) to discipline motorists even without the presence of traffic enforcers. The MMDA is also looking into endorsing to the Metro Manila Council the move to oblige NCAP violators engage in community services as a penalty. 'Sinsabi po kasi na negosyo ang NCAP. Hindi po. Ito po ay para disiplinahin ang tao at bantayan ang kalsada. Tamang tama po may mga programa kami gaya ng paglilinis ng estero at kanal para malabanan ang pagbaha, maalis ng mga basura,' Artes said. (Some say NCAP is a business. It's not true. The policy is implemented to discipline motorists and monitor the road. We have programs like cleaning drive of drainages and canals to combat flood and dispose garbage.) Some motorists approved the idea since they don't have to pay a fine, while others said paying a fine is better since the process is faster. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Automotive
- GMA Network
Real-time email, SMS alerts for NCAP violators being developed, says MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is working with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and telecommunication companies to develop real-time email and short message service (SMS) notifications for violators of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group director Atty. Victor Nuñez made the statement on Tuesday in PTV's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon after the May Huli Ka 2.0 was launched. 'This is also in partnership with the LTO because kapag nag re-renew kayo ng rehistro, you will be required to put your email and contact number para mas madali yung notification sa mga nag violate ng NCAP,' Nuñez said. (This is also in partnership with the LTO because you will be required to put your email and contact number when renewing your car registration to notify NCAP violators easily.) On Monday, the MMDA launched "May Huli Ka 2.0,' a website that will allow drivers to check if they violated the NCAP. Nuñez said the agency is working on a May Huli Ka app so users can have a more compact and accessible option. He added the app would be launched in one to two months. Last week, the MMDA announced that it had begun sending notices to traffic violators. It noted that notices of violation were issued after a thorough review of the infractions caught on camera. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
PNP to use NCAP cameras for faster response time
The Philippine National Police said it will use the cameras of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) to improve its response time versus crime in Metro Manila. In his Monday report on 24 Oras, Joseph Morong said the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has already caught over 10,000 traffic violators since the NCAP cameras resumed its operations last May. There are currently 21 cameras monitoring the EDSA Bus Carousel while 162 are placed along the entire stretch of EDSA. Aside from artificial intelligence (AI) the CCTV cameras are manned by CCTV operators of the MMDA. Citing the NCAP system's effectiveness, PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said it could also be used in its anti-crime efforts in the metropolis. A demonstration on Monday resulted in a two minute response time– one minute faster on what the new PNP chief is challenging the police force to be present at the scene of a crime. Torre said a police officer with direct communication to the PNP command center will be assigned at the MMDA traffic control facility. 'Maglalagay na kami rito ng pulis na may radyo na naka connect derecho sa ating command center so derecho dispatch na,' Torre said. (We will have a police officer with a radio here to help coordinate direct dispatches with our command center.) Meanwhile, the MMDA on Monday announced that it has launched a website that will allow drivers to check if they violated the NCAP. —RF, GMA Integrated News
