The imposition of stiffer penalties for motorists who violate the exclusive bus carousel lane along EDSA shall start on Monday, Nov. 12, as scheduled, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Task Force Special Operations Chief Bong Nebrija
“Hindi na mapipigilan, tuloy na nag pagtaas ng multa sa busway violators,” Nebrija said in an interview during DZRH Huntahan.
He said they manned the EDSA busway last week to alert motorists about the adjustment in the penalty fines.
“Sa iba't ibang lugar nag-operate kami para mabigyang abiso at seryosohin ng ating mga mamamayan na kung magba-violate on Monday, tomorrow, mataas na ang multa,” Nebrija added.
Col. Bong Nebrija, Chief, MMDA Task Force Special Operations, sa pagtaas ng multa sa hindi awtorisadong sasakyan sa EDSA Bus Carousel: Hindi na mapipigilan, tuloy na nag pagtaas ng multa sa busway violators.#Huntahan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 12, 2023
LIVE: https://t.co/S8fdcmlLNe pic.twitter.com/kVUUIgTnkT
Under MMDA Regulation No. 23-002 series of 2023 dated Oct. 6, erring drivers caught for the first time must pay a fine of ₱5,000.
The penalties for motorists who committed a second offense are ₱10,000 fine and required attendance in a road safety seminar.
The fines for third, and fourth offenses cost ₱20,000 and ₱30,000, respectively. In addition, the driver may face suspension or revocation of driver's license.
“Hindi biro ‘yan [...] If this will not hurt you, I do not know what will. Napakataas na 'yan. Sabi ko nga yung mga nagmamaneho lang, may amo ‘diba? Kayang-kaya bayaran ng amo nila ang multa. Eh yung revocation and suspension ng lisensya ang hindi. Sa kanila pa rin iyon, hindi kaya ng amo nila iyan,” Nebrija said.
When asked about his reactions to the statement that the new fines are “anti-poor”, he answered: “Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit anti-poor. Mayaman o mahirap, kung hindi ka magba-violate, hindi ka tatamaan niyan. Ang tinatamaan niyan, yung nagba-violate Whether you're rich or poor, pareho lang naman ang multa.”
The MMDA Task Force Special Operations Chief noted that exempted from the penalties are buses, emergency responders, ambulances, police mobiles, and fire trucks.
According to Nebrija, a motorist who will attempt to evade the fine payment shall be reported to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
“Kapag tumakbo ka at nakuha namin ang plate number mo, hindi na kami maga-aksaya ng panahon para habulin ka, baka maaksidente pa ang enforcer namin. Ipapatawan ka na lang namin ng penalty through LTO. Hindi ka makakapag-renew hanggang’t hindi mo mababayaran iyon,” he said.
