Huli ka!

LTO chief Alberto Suansing has announced that they will be pushing through with the implementation of the AO 2008-015. In his talk, he mentioned that they (meaning the MMDA and local government traffic enforcement) will be apprehending motorcycle riders who:
1. Wear flip-flops, sandals, slippers or being bare-footed while riding a motorcycle in major thoroughfares.
2. Carry more than one passenger as a back rider in national and city roads.
3. Drive without a helmet.

No mention, however, was made for the need to wear leather boots and heavy pants and jackets.

Also, Suansing also said that they are junking the PNP's petition to implement a two-plate policy for motorcycles. Read more about it here.

Update, October 1, 10:50pm:
A new article on the same topic states that bikers on less busy municipal roads and barangay roads can take on more than one rider. This should be good news, somewhat, for habal-habal drivers. At least, they'll still be able to continue loading up on passengers as long as they don't go on major roads. Unfortunately, it also says that the LTO is still open to implementing a two-plate policy, pending "public consultation." Read more about it here.

No more phones while driving?
There's a pending bill that proposes a total ban on the use of cellphones while driving. The weird thing about it is that it exempts law enforcers, rescue vehicle drivers (ambulances, fire engines, etc.) and media people. Maybe their training gave them abilities beyond that of the common man.

Actually, the cities of Manila, Makati and Cebu already have regulations banning this, but it is hardly enforced (unless the enforcers really need money). The bill, we believe, seeks to expand coverage to the whole country.

Spycams in Pasay
Pasay City will be installing CCTV cameras on major roads in the city for traffic monitoring. However, Florencio Mateo, chief of the Pasay City Traffic and Parking Management Office, has also said that the cameras will be used to monitor "abusive" traffic enforcers. So, smile everyone! You're on candid camera!

PNP and LTO admits to existence of fake plate syndicate
Seems like the PNP and LTO have caught some of the small fry who are part of a syndicate selling fake license plates right inside LTO's main compound. In a sting operation, the police were able to buy a yellow plate, an 8 protocol plate and a diplomatic plate from this group, each for just P9,000.00, complete with the appropriate LTO documents. A closer inspection of the plates reveal that, although quite similar to legitimate plates, the LTO is able to determine that these were indeed fake (which we suppose would be something that your everyday traffic enforcer would be unable to do).

Kaya pala kumakalat ngayon yung mga special plates sa kalye. They should really start cleaning up their own backyard.

MMDA implements Pink Line Project
The MMDA has started towing vehicles and clearing obstacles violating their "pink lines" in their latest effort to clear the sidewalks. The drivers who were caught parking illegally on the sidewalks complained that they were not adequately informed by the MMDA about the policy.

Now, if they were parallel parked on the sidewalk, then obviously that's illegal parking. But if they were in they were parked in a driveway that extended to the sidewalk, then that's kinda iffy. I mean, it would just be proper for the MMDA to give people time to "fix" their garages/driveways, since it was lack of proper enforcement of this particular law that led to this situation in the first place.

Anyway, here's a video from GMANews.TV that explains the pink line policy:

New LTO chief opens doors to public
Alberto Suansing, the new head of the LTO, has announced that the public is welcome to go to him directly for any LTO-related complaints.

Hopefully, he'll provide the public with an email address or an online forum that the public can use.

In Manila this morning, a traffic enforcer flagged down a car and, true-to-form, asked for kotong. Unfortunately for him, the occupant was none other than the new head of the LTO, Alberto Suansing. Playing along, Suansing gave in and handed over the money first, then introduced himself.

Hahahahaha! Kawawang tao!

No details on whether he was flagged down 'cos of a real violation, who the enforcer is, or what will happen to him.

Anyway, read the article here.

No need for BF stickers
Parañaque mayor Jun Bernabe, Jr. has announced that an existing ordinance allows all residents and non-residents with vehicles to freely enter BF Homes gates located within the city. These gates include those on the main gates on Aguirre, Elizalde and El Grande.

As for gates located in Las Piñas, Jimmy Castillano, chief of the Las Piñas Public Information Office, has said that access to the Southland, Mariposa, and Concha Cruz gates are covered by "friendship stickers," which are given to Las Piñas residents for free. Also, Las Piñas mayor Nene Aguilar has ordered UBFHAI guards to vacate all BF gates located in the city.

So, anyone can enter from Parañaque, but can they exit at Las Piñas? What about Alabang residents? Can they pass the Las Piñas side? This is kinda confusing.

MMDA admits that their enforcers are incompetent
The MMDA has offered early retirement packages to 700 of its personnel, after realizing that almost half of their enforcers are incompetent.

Ngayon lang ba nila napansin 'to?!?

Traffic violators who have unpaid fines with the MMDA will soon be unable to renew their driver's licenses and vehicle registrations with the LTO, with the upcoming implementation of a technology tie-up with the MMDA. The system will allow LTO branches nationwide to cross-check driver's license numbers and plate numbers against the MMDA database and disapprove renewals should these prove to have pending violations.

Finally, the government is making good use of technology to make themselves more efficient. The LTO should actually do this with the local government units as well, since they also have their own enforcing and ticketing systems.

Anyway, click here to read the full article.

Death threats for Oplan Isnabero chief
Fernando Quiambao, LTO's Oplan Isnabero chief and executive assistant of Reynaldo Berroya, has been receiving SMS death threats through their hotline.

Kawawa naman. They should track the numbers used and go after these bastards.

Traffic channel proposed by MMDA
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando is currently in talks with SkyCable to acquire a cable channel to broadcast traffic conditions.

Now, how useful can this really be? For those who check out the traffic situation on the tube before leaving their houses, the conditions will most likely have changed by the time they reach those areas. And since it's cable, portable TVs inside the cars can't pick it up. Maybe the MMDA should concentrate their resources on something a lot more useful, don't you think?

No headlights, no entry in QC
An ordinance is being proposed by QC councilor Victor Ferrer, Jr., which requires all vehicles traversing QC streets to have working headlights and other safety lights.

You mean this isn't required by law already?

New bridges connecting Makati, Pasig, Marikina planned
The Pasig City government has allocated P500 million to construct two new bridges, connecting Makati and Marikina to the city, according to Pasig Mayor Robert Eusebio. These will be built along the Floodway going to Marikina and along Pineda to Guadalupe Bridge to Makati.

Hopefully, this will ease up traffic on Ortigas.

Mayor Alfredo Lim is thinking of banning all provincial buses from Southern Luzon from the city of Manila. If this pushes through, this will be the second time that he will be implementing this, the first time during his last term as Manila mayor in the '90s.

The whole Metro Manila should do this, not just Manila. They should start building gigantic bus stations in Balintawak and Alabang, and have them stop there. Then they should support these stations with MRT stations.

Read that the MMDA also considers the "encroachment of roads and easements by shops, itinerant vendors and slum dwellers" a major contributor to traffic build-up. They specifically mentioned those places that use the sidewalks and roads as parking slots for their establishments, even going as far as placing signages to prevent non-customers from parking there. MMDA's Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios stated that he will be urging the mayors to deny renewal of the business permits of these violators.

This seems like a good move, but it is highly unlikely that we will see any real response to this call, at least in the near future.

Anyway, read more about it here. Note that the article is mainly about the MMDA's RFID initiative for PUBs, so just go straight to the bottom.

Police car involved in accident
A jeepney crashed into the side of a police car at the corner of Aurora and Balete around 11:30am today. According to the jeepney driver, the police car allegedly beat the red light. Also, he claims that the blinker and siren were only turned on after the accident. Anyway, the traffic investigator said that the jeepney driver may be charged with "reckless imprudence resulting in multiple injuries and damage to government property."

I actually believe the jeepney driver's story. I've seen too many police vehicles, both cars and motorcycles, ignoring stoplights, no left turns, no u-turns, one ways, etc., for no particular reason aside from their own convenience.

Impounded taxis found to have tampered engine numbers
The LTO has reported that 14 out of 85 taxis currently impounded were found to have tampered engine and chassis numbers, leading them to believe that these were stolen.

For details on the plate, engine and chassis numbers of these taxis, check out the article. You never know, you might find your long, lost, stolen vehicle.

MMDA and Pasay fight over DFA parking
Pasay mayor Peewee Trinidad criticized the MMDA after 8 MMDA enforcers issued tickets to 42 vehicles belonging to officials, employees and visitors of the DFA parked on the service road of Roxas Blvd. According to the mayor, that area has long been used as a parking area by the DFA, and is supposedly covered by a city ordinance that provides free parking to DFA officials, employees and visitors. The Pasay Traffic and Parking Management Office wanted to file a case against the 8 enforcers but backed off after the enforcers took back the tickets they issued. MMDA chariman Bayani Fernando responded that if their enforcers were arrested, they would file their own charges.

In the first place, the DFA should develop their own parking area. Roxas Blvd. is one of the metro's major thoroughfares and experiences heavy traffic all the time. Isn't the public interest more important than the convenience of these officials?

Here's a list of valid commemorative plates, which was flashed on a TV report regarding the issue with the BINAY 2010 plate. I believe these were based on LTO's official listing.

ST. SCHOLASTICA CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Valid until June 1, 2008

THE KAWANIS(?) CLUB OF ST. JOHN
Valid until December 31, 2008

UP
Valid until December 31, 2008

LTO 9TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY
Valid until December 31, 2008

CANONIZATION OF MARIE EUGENIE OF JESUS
Valid until December 31, 2008

PGH 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Valid until December 31, 2008

MANILA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Valid until December 31, 2008

PHILIPPINE PRACTICAL SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION
Valid until May 25, 2009

Here's the video:

By the way, the BINAY 2010 plates have not been approved by the LTO, so having one on your car is considered to be a traffic violation.

Pending bill to make helmets mandatory
Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. has filed a bill to make helmets mandatory for all motorcycle and scooter riders, including passengers. Tricycle drivers, however, are exempted.

Huh? You mean it isn't mandatory right now?

LTO centralizes registration of imported vehicles
LTO chief Reynaldo Berroya has announced that, starting immediately, the initial registration of all imported new and used vehicles will have to be done with the central office. Imports made under the government's Motor Vehicle Development Program (which I suppose are those imported by those with local manufacturing facilities, but I may be wrong) are exempted.

So mababawasan na yung mga bagong exotic cars dito sa 'pinas.

Gov't claims diesel to go down by P1
Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes has announced that they expect diesel prices to go down by as much as P1 per liter anytime between February 1 and 15. This will be a result of the 2 percentage point reduction in petroleum products that he will be endorsing. No reduction of unleaded is expected as savings on these will be used to subsidize diesel prices. Oil firms, however, have announced that prices of other petroleum products may be increased to make up for current under-recoveries.

Lahat nito, dahil kay George W. Hehehe.

Rerouting at Ayala Center
Due to a planned construction of an access ramp to Glorietta V, Hotel Drive, the road right in front of Hotel Intercontinental will be reduced to a single lane. Construction will begin on January 21 and is expected to end by the end of of April.

Check out the article for more information on the rerouting.

Binay 2010 commemorative plates not valid in Makati
Mayor Jejomar Binay has announced that the Binay 2010 commemorative plates will not be recognized in Makati City. According to him, he is not in any way connected, nor given consent, to the group that is releasing these plates. He also stressed that the city's traffic code does not recognize ANY commemorative plate and may earn the driver a fine of P2,000.00 and confiscation of the said plate.

Hehehe. Classic guerrilla marketing technique.

MMDA's u-turn slots and concrete barriers make driving instructors' jobs more difficult
Driving instructors are having a difficult time teaching their students how to deal with the u-turn slots and concrete barriers that the MMDA has been setting up all over the metro, since the LTO does not mention these on their standard driver's manual.

Hay naku. How difficult can it be? First, ALWAYS follow the lane lines. Second, ALWAYS stay on the outermost lane (barring the yellow lanes) and transfer to the next innermost lane only if overtaking. Third, ease into the appropriate lane around 200-300 meters when approaching the u-turn, intersection, turn-off, ramp, exit, access road, barriers, whatever that they will be taking (or avoiding, as the case may be). Third, ALWAYS use your signal light when changing lanes. And use it BEFORE you actually change lanes and not during. Fourth, stay on the leftmost lane if turning left on the next intersection, or the rightmost lane if turning right. Fifth, if traffic is merging from two lanes to one, always follow the alternating rule. Sixth, be courteous to other drivers and avoid inconveniencing others. Last, the pedestrian always has right of way, even if they are jaywalking.

Just imagine how much better driving will be if all drivers follow these simple rules.

Quiapo traffic rerouted due to Black Nazarene
With the Feast of the Black Nazarene being celebrated today, traffic in Quiapo has been rerouted. Check the article for details on the rerouting scheme.

MMDA's pink line parking scheme
The MMDA has begun pilot testing their new pink line parking scheme on EDSA. The line is supposed to clearly delineate where the road ends and the sidewalk begins, and is targeted to curb illegal parking on major roads.

Kaya dapat walang tatawid sa pink line. Ang muhuling tumawid, bading!

MMDA likes motorcycles
The MMDA is NOT in favor of banning motorcycles from major roads. However, this doesn't mean that they will be providing exclusive lanes for them.

Considering that the majority of their enforcers get around on bikes, it'll be really stupid of them to support the proposed bill to ban them. Dapat talaga, hulihin na lang nila ang dapat hulihin para mabawasan ang mga aksidente.

One percentage point reduction in oil tariff planned
A one percentage point reduction in oil tariff has been announced by GMA today, in an effort to cushion the impact rising world oil prices on the local economy. Also, she has asked the oil companies to use the savings from the tax cut to bring down prices of diesel, instead of applying it across the board to all fuel products.

Another article also mentioned that despite the tariff cut, pump prices are still expected to rise on January 15.

Considering that our pump prices are among the highest in the region, I'm pretty sure there are a lot of other things that they can do bring prices down.

Good manners and right conduct course for Manila traffic cops
Mayor Alfredo Lim announced that a monthly seminar on these, as well as traffic management, will be held for Manila's traffic enforcers. He also mentioned that "the priority of traffic enforcers should not be in issuing traffic citation tickets but to manage traffic."

This is good. Maybe it'll help reduce the number of heated exchanges that occur between them and drivers.

Discount on fuel extended to January 15
Eastern Petroleum and Unioil has extended their P1.00 and P0.50 discount for gas and diesel, respectively, 'til January 15.

Seems like we can expect a new round of price hikes after the 15th due to the recent surges in world oil prices. So, gas up now!

Oplan Isnabero complainants have to show up
LTO chief Reynaldo Berroya calls on complainants to show up at the hearings against the taxi drivers they reported under Oplan Isnabero.

I suppose this means that if you don't show up, they can't prosecute.

Areas near bus terminals clogged
The TMG has been ordered by the PNP to be on their toes as traffic builds up on roads in and around the metro's bus terminals as people start coming back from (and going back to) the provinces after the holidays.

I suppose the situation in these areas will be bad until next Monday.

MMDA seeks cancellation of ES Transport bus franchise
Due to the closure of ES Transport's bus terminal, the MMDA is requesting the LTFRB to cancel the bus company's franchise. The terminal, which is along EDSA near the Cubao area, was closed by the MMDA last December 23. ES Transport was one of eleven bus companies that were mandated by the MMDA last September to improve their terminals in order to reduce their impact on traffic when going in and out of the terminals.

Public schools to resume on January 3
Over 50,000 public schools nationwide will resume classes starting tomorrow. The majority of private schools, however, will resume classes on Monday, January 7.

So expect traffic to start getting heavier and heavier beginning tomorrow.

Eastern Petroleum extends P1 discount for 6 more days
Eastern Petroleum's discount of P1 for gas and P0.50 for diesel is extended until January 6. No word from Petron or Unioil, though.

PNCC Strike closes Skyway for 2 hours
Around 100 employees marched on the Skyway this morning, totally blocking off all northbound traffic. One thing to note here is that the article mentions that "with the Citra takeover, SLEx toll fees would increase by more than 100 percent." Another article stated that "Citra would be allowed to jack up its collection by up to 150 percent."

Patay na naman ang mga taga south!

Just found out about this when I was looking up articles for today's traffic news roundup.

Anyway, did a search and found this article on Abante. seems like the TMG launched this project last October. So if you see a vehicle sporting blinkers, wangwangs, or other similar gadgets, you can text the plate number to 0928-3982873 or 0916-9660244.

Again, only the the following can use these gadgets on their duly-registered vehicles:
1. President of the Philippines
2. Vice President
3. Senate President
4. Speaker of the House
5. Chief Justice
6. Police
7. Ambulances

I suppose all Presidential Security Group vehicles are also allowed to use them, although they aren't on the list.

Kaya text-text na! Para mabawasan ang mga buwakaw dito sa 'pinas!

MMDA looking for a few good men
As a result of the early retirement of around 3,500 workers, the MMDA is set to hire around 4,000 new employees, including enforcers, engineers and construction workers. Sure hope the 3,500 includes slackers and kotong enforcers. Maybe they should consider hiring traffic analysts and industrial engineers as well, so they could better improve traffic flow.

PNCC strike tomorrow at the Skyway
Avoid the Skyway tomorrow morning, as employees of the PNCC are planning to stage a strike starting at 6am to protest the termination of some of their employees as a result of it's privatization.

TMG reports 2007 performance
According to this article, the TMG has done well this year cracking down on car thieves. It also says that they have confiscated 100 sirens, four blinkers and 116 fog lights because of the TMG’s Text Wangwang project.