Latest news with #JosephMorong
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
MMDA files complaints vs over 50 motorists over covered license plates
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has filed complaints against over 50 motorists for covering their license plates to avoid getting caught under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). In Joseph Morong's Monday report on '24 Oras,' the licensed plates of motorists were seen covered with various objects including a face mask, paper plate, leaves, and underwear. A motorist was also caught using the EDSA busway without a license plate, but upon inspection, authorities found that he had hidden it in the compartment of his motorcycle. 'Hindi lang po mga motorcycles, but now to the extent even four-wheel vehicles. Deliberately tinatakpan po ang mga plaka just to escape the mere apprehension of the NCAP,' said Gabriel Go, head of MMDA special operations group. (We also filed a complaint not just against motorcycle riders but also four-wheeled vehicles. They deliberately cover their license plates just to escape the mere apprehension of the NCAP.) Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will send a show cause order to the violators to hear their explanations. The MMDA and LTO warned motorists that they may face criminal charges for covering their license plates. They may face a fine of P5,000 for violating the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act. 'May pagkakulong po ito na six months and one day to two years. Sumunod na lang po tayo sa batas para po hindi lumaki ang problema ninyo,' LTO executive director Greg Pua said. (They may be imprisoned for six months and one day to two years. Just follow the traffic rules to minimize your problems.) He added that motorists cannot use the excuse that they have yet to receive their license plate since there is no backlog. 'Kung wala pa silang nakuha na plaka, dapat nakalagay sa likod nila yung MB file number. Without the plate po, we can also apprehend para malaman bakit wala ka pang plaka,' Pua said. (If they don't have the license plate yet, the MB file number should be placed on the back of the motorcycle. We can apprehend them to know why they don't have their license plate yet.) Motorists may also check the plate number tracker if their plates are already available. The license plates can be delivered to their homes. Since the implementation of NCAP last May 26, about 700 motorists a day have been caught violating traffic rules. However, none have been given a notice yet since MMDA personnel are still validating the cases. Meanwhile, the Stop NCAP Coalition held a protest to call for its suspension until roads and signage are fixed. They will file a temporary restraining order against NCAP before the Supreme Court. In a petition filed before the Supreme Court, the petitioner is seeking clarification on where the NCAP should be implemented. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Automotive
- GMA Network
DOLE urges employers to allow work-from-home setup amid EDSA rehab
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday suggested that employers consider adopting alternative work setups, such as working from home, as many workers will be affected by the rehabilitation of EDSA next month. According to Joseph Morong's report in '24 Oras' on Friday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said EDSA is home to many business establishments, with nearly 50 malls on the stretch. 'Mutually beneficial po. Hindi po makakapinsila sa pagpapatuloy ng negosyo, pero matiyak din po na hindi rin mapipinsila ang ating mga mangagawa,' said DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma during an inter-agency meeting. (This will be mutually beneficial. It will not affect the businesses and at the same time we can make sure that workers will not be inconvenienced.) The Pasay and Guadalupe portions will be the first to be affected by the first wave of the rebuilding program that will begin on June 13. For its part, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said that alternative work arrangements may not be effective for some. 'Sana pabayaan yung mga kumpanya at yung mga tao nila na mag-usap, diskartehan nila, kanya-kanya,' said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz. (Let's leave it to the companies and their employees to decide on that.) ECOP also sought incentives for business establishments that would implement alternative work setups. The government earlier said that the rehabilitation on the major thoroughfare will go on full blast by July or August. Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said that the DOTr will check if the odd-even coding scheme to be implemented during the rehabilitation period would be effective. The said vehicular scheme will have a dry run on June 16. On the other hand, transport groups said that the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) should have been implemented after the rehabilitation. Motorcycle taxi riders are complaining that the NCAP implementation has made their daily rides difficult. 'Mayroong reklamo sa akin na 'Sir, baka wedeng pakibilisan?' Sabi ko, 'Hindi tayo pwedeng dumaan diyan sa bike lane kasi bawal,'' said motorcycle taxi operator Paul Rosales. (Someone complained to me if I can go faster. I told him that we cannot use the bike lane.) 'Maganda ang layunin ng motorcycle lane, ang problema yung kalsada doon baku-bako,' said Kagulong Secretary General Don Pangan. (Motorcycle lanes are beneficial, however, the roads there are rough.) –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- GMA Network
As EDSA rehab looms, Skyway eyed as alternative route
The government is considering allowing motorists to use portions of the Skyway for free once major repair begins on EDSA this coming June. In Joseph Morong's Tuesday report on '24 Oras,' the EDSA rehabilitation will begin on June 13. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Metro Manila's major thoroughfare will undergo large-scale repair since reblocking and asphalting the road is no longer enough. Officials said the stretch between Roxas Boulevard in Manila and Guadalupe, Makati will be the first to be affected. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), EDSA will be repaired per lane. 'Yung mga kababayan natin na imbes na sa EDSA meron silang ibang dadaanan, alternative na dadaanan at ang pinakamadaling alternative na dadaanan ay ang Skyway,' Dizon said. (Instead of traversing EDSA, they will have an alternative route. The best option would be the Skyway.) The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said repair work on EDSA would take about two years, but the EDSA bus carousel would remain operational during the whole time. EDSA buses will use the adjacent lane while the remaining lanes will be for private vehicles. 'Wala tayong magagawa. Kailangan unahin natin ang commuter,' Dizon said. (There's nothing we can do. We have to prioritize commuters.) To ease the travel of commuters, some facilities of the EDSA bus carousel were fixed, including 18 elevators at six of its stations. Wheelchair lifts were also installed for persons with disabilities. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), allowing only the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to implement it in areas under its jurisdiction. 'Yung mga violators, hindi na namin kailangang parahin, mag-talo, isyuhan physically ng ticket na habang ginagawa yun ay nakakaabala pa sa traffic. So, kung may NCAP, tuloy-tuloy na yung takbo at huhulihin na lang namin through CCTV camera,' MMDA chairman Romando Artes said. (We don't have to stop motorists to issue a physician ticket, get into arguments, as this causes traffic. With the NCAP, violators will be caught via CCTV cameras.) Dizon also said the government is hastening the completion of the Common Station of the LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7, which was supposed to have been finished in 2021. He added DOTr is looking for another contractor for its completion. 'Ang target natin by early 2027, tapos na lahat. Tapos na ang Common Station, MRT-7 and nakakonekta na tayo sa LRT-1 papuntang MRT-3 and MRT-7,' Dizon said. (Our target is to finish everything by early 2027. We aim to finish the Common Station, MRT-7, and that LRT-1 is connected to the MRT-3 and MRT-7.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
