5 Things the MMDA Wants Every Pinoy Driver to Know

Paulo Abad

News

Jan 23, 2020

Being one of the agencies in charge of traffic management in Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has made its presence felt across major highways and roads in the NCR. Strangely, though, most Filipinos know little about them or the rules they must follow. So to put Pinoy motorists up to speed, the MMDA itself listed certain stuff about them that they want everyone to know. Check five of them out below:

  1. An MMDA officer cannot confiscate your driver’s license. Of course, this rule doesn’t apply if you commit major traffic violations like using fake driver’s license, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and tampering with your vehicle’s car registration documents, among others. If you did any of these things, better surrender your license to the officer. Otherwise, he’ll have the authority to remove your car plate.
  2. All MMDA traffic enforcers have written mission order issued by the agency’s Central Admin to indicate their time of duty and their designated area of responsibility. So should you ever get flagged down by an MMDA traffic enforcer, you can request to see their mission order while they take a look at your license. Only officers with legitimate mission orders can legally flag down violating motorists.
  3. Also, you need to know that MMDA officers are not permitted to group together just to accost one motorist. So in case you get flagged down by two or more traffic enforcers, you can point out that they are not allowed to do so. The only situation when they can do that is during special operations like apprehending clusters of colorum or smoke-belching vehicles.
  4. They must be on their full MMDA regalia as well when in duty. Only traffic enforcers wearing their complete uniform have the authority to issue OVR (Ordinance Violation Receipt) to violating drivers, which they must accomplish quickly and without argument to avoid traffic congestion.
  5. Another thing, MMDA enforcers aren’t allowed to demand that you get out of your vehicle when apprehended. So in case you get flagged down for any road violations, talk to the office from the comforts of your car interior.

Moving Forward

Knowing these important things about the MMDA would not only improve your interaction with them, but it would also help you be a more responsible road user. So whenever you’re taking your beloved car to Metro Manila, best keep these facts deep in your heart.