By Aerol John Pateña/PNA
MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is pushing for apprehensions of jaywalkers to be recorded on the database of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The initiative will help deter the increasing number of jaywalking cases that result in road accidents in Metro Manila, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said.
“Ang plano po ng MMDA na ang mga mahuhuli nating jaywalkers ay magkakaroon ng lamat sa kanilang mga NBI records. Yung iba kasi hindi agad settle yung mga fines nila. So, I think kailangan bigyan natin ng pangil naman yung parusa para sa mga jaywalkers (The MMDA is planning to have those apprehended for jaywalking to have a blot on their NBI records. Others are not paying their fines immediately. So, I think we need to impose stricter punishment against jaywalkers),” Pialago said in a television interview on Friday.
Currently, the MMDA imposes a fine of PHP500 or community service for jaywalking.
The agency hopes that the proposal would force violators to settle their fines.
“This time, kung may NBI record kayo, you have to settle it. Naapektuhan na po ang daily basis kung sakaling mag-apply sila ng work or ire-renew yung mga NBI clearances nila (This time if you have an NBI record, you have to settle it. They will be affected on a daily basis, especially if they apply for work or renew their NBI clearances),” Pialago added.
The MMDA will submit the proposal to the Metro Manila Council for approval.
Data from the MMDA show that a total of 4,795 jaywalkers were apprehended across Metro Manila from January 1 to 24. A total of 51,470 were likewise apprehended last year.
Some 54 percent of road accidents in Metro Manila are caused by jaywalkers, resulting in more than a hundred deaths annually, Pialago added.
