Only 300 so far have availed of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's offer of amnesty to erring public utility drivers, with only a few days left to the amnesty program.
MMDA Traffic Operations Center Director Angelito Vergel de Dios said on Sunday he was a bit surprised at the low turnout, but added that he expected the figure to go up by the end of the month.
"We expected at least 1,000 drivers with outstanding traffic fines but we have a week to go. There's still time for the other drivers to apply for amnesty until March 28," he said in a phone interview.
Earlier this month, the MMDA announced that it would be granting amnesty to drivers of passenger jeepneys, buses and taxis with unpaid traffic fines dating back to 1995 until Feb. 13 this year.
Those who want to avail of the offer should go to the MMDA office in Guadalupe, Makati and apply for amnesty before the close of office hours on March 28.
Drivers of provincial buses, however, are not covered by the scheme.
The amnesty also does not not apply to administrative offenses like driving without a license, operating "colorum" vehicles or those without a franchise, and violations of the truck ban.
It only covers moving violations such as disregarding traffic signs, illegal counterflow and reckless driving, according to the MMDA.
Vergel de Dios explained that the MMDA came up with the idea of offering amnesty after public transport operators asked the agency for help in cleaning up the records of their drivers.
"The operators claimed that their drivers are not that well informed about traffic rules so this is the first time we are offering this kind of amnesty," he said.
To qualify, a public utility driver should be endorsed by his operator to the MMDA. He should likewise pay the amount equivalent to the lowest fine imposed on him but without the additional penalty for late payments.
The driver would also be required to undergo a seminar on traffic rules and policies, Vergel de Dios added.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando earlier said that the amnesty should not be a reason for drivers to take traffic rules for granted.
Habitual traffic violators would face the risk of having their driver's license suspended, he warned.
MMDA Traffic Operations Center Director Angelito Vergel de Dios said on Sunday he was a bit surprised at the low turnout, but added that he expected the figure to go up by the end of the month.
"We expected at least 1,000 drivers with outstanding traffic fines but we have a week to go. There's still time for the other drivers to apply for amnesty until March 28," he said in a phone interview.
Earlier this month, the MMDA announced that it would be granting amnesty to drivers of passenger jeepneys, buses and taxis with unpaid traffic fines dating back to 1995 until Feb. 13 this year.
Those who want to avail of the offer should go to the MMDA office in Guadalupe, Makati and apply for amnesty before the close of office hours on March 28.
Drivers of provincial buses, however, are not covered by the scheme.
The amnesty also does not not apply to administrative offenses like driving without a license, operating "colorum" vehicles or those without a franchise, and violations of the truck ban.
It only covers moving violations such as disregarding traffic signs, illegal counterflow and reckless driving, according to the MMDA.
Vergel de Dios explained that the MMDA came up with the idea of offering amnesty after public transport operators asked the agency for help in cleaning up the records of their drivers.
"The operators claimed that their drivers are not that well informed about traffic rules so this is the first time we are offering this kind of amnesty," he said.
To qualify, a public utility driver should be endorsed by his operator to the MMDA. He should likewise pay the amount equivalent to the lowest fine imposed on him but without the additional penalty for late payments.
The driver would also be required to undergo a seminar on traffic rules and policies, Vergel de Dios added.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando earlier said that the amnesty should not be a reason for drivers to take traffic rules for granted.
Habitual traffic violators would face the risk of having their driver's license suspended, he warned.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment