Latest news with #RomandoArtes
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- GMA Network
MMDA data: Violations declining since NCAP resumption
The total number of apprehended traffic violations has been declining since the resumption of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), according to the data of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) released on Thursday. From around 3,000 violations usually monitored in a day, the number decreased to 1,112 on the first day of the NCAP resumption on Monday. This number further dropped to 952 on Tuesday and 797 on Wednesday. NCAP is a policy that uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic laws instead of traffic enforcers on the ground. Under the policy, violators can pay fines later online or at the MMDA office. They can also contest their supposed violations caught under NCAP. MMDA chairperson Romando Artes has said that violations caught under the NCAP will be manually reviewed by its personnel before issuing tickets. The implementation of NCAP resumed after the Supreme Court (SC) partially lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement the program. In August 2022, the SC issued the TRO against NCAP being implemented by some local government units in Metro Manila. The order came after transport groups Kapit, Pasang Masda, Altodap, and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations filed a petition against local ordinances related to the NCAP in five cities including Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque. One of the contested aspects of the NCAP involves the payment of fines, in which the registered owners, not the drivers, of public and private vehicles are the ones who are asked to pay for the penalties. Transport groups also described the policy as unconstitutional. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
MMDA: Violations under NCAP 'manually' reviewed
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Wednesday that violations caught under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) will be manually reviewed by its personnel before issuing tickets. MMDA chairperson Romando Artes told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview that their personnel, usually deaf-mutes, are reviewing the violations caught by artificial intelligence (AI). 'Hindi po lahat ng cameras naming may AI, sa EDSA lamang po. Ganunpaman, yung mga may huli ng AI may automatic review po tayo. Mano-mano pong tinitignan yan,' Artes said. (Not all of our cameras have AI, only on EDSA. However, those that are caught by AI have automatic reviews. We check them manually.) 'Yung mga na-capture supposedly na violations ay tinitignan po ng ating mga tauhan. Kalimitan po dyan mga deaf-mutes na atin pong in-employ na sila po yung tumitingin kung tama yung pagkaka-capture,' he added. (Those that are captured for supposed violations are checked by our staff. Usually, there are deaf-mutes that we employ who are the ones who check if the apprehension is correct.) For example, Artes said that AI once flagged an ambulance that used the EDSA busway. Since ambulances are allowed to use the special lane for public utility buses, reviewers invalidated the initially reported violation. Another example, Artes said, is that if a vehicle switched lanes on a road with yellow marking because a car broke down in front of it, reviewers will also invalidate the violation. Artes pointed out that the MMDA will be lenient with those kinds of violations, adding that the NCAP implementation is intended for the discipline of motorists and not for income generation of the agency. A total of 1,112 traffic violations were caught on the first day of the resumption of the NCAP on Monday, the MMDA said. The total number of traffic violations on Monday is lower compared to the over 3,000 recorded on the same date last year when NCAP was still suspended due to a temporary restraining order (TRO). NCAP is a policy that uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic laws, instead of traffic enforcers on the ground. The implementation of NCAP resumed after the Supreme Court (SC) partially lifted the TRO against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement the program. In August 2022, the SC issued the TRO against NCAP being implemented by some local government units in Metro Manila. The order came after transport groups Kapit, Pasang Masda, Altodap, and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations filed a petition against local ordinances related to the NCAP in five cities including Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque. One of the contested aspects of the NCAP involves the payment of fines in which the registered owners, not the drivers, of public and private vehicles are the ones who are asked to pay for the penalties. Transport groups also described the policy as unconstitutional. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
MMDA clarifies: Odd-even scheme to replace number coding on EDSA
The odd-even scheme will replace the number coding scheme on EDSA when its rebuilding starts in June, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) explained on Tuesday. MMDA Chairman Romando Artes issued the clarification after announcing Monday that beginning June 16, an odd-even scheme would be implemented exclusively on EDSA for a brief dry run. This means vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) would not be allowed on the national thoroughfare on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while vehicles with even-number license plates (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8) would be banned on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. EDSA and several other major roads in the National Capital Region currently use the Expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme, which bars vehicles from using the roads on one day depending on the last number on their license plates, except during window hours in most cities. Netizens complained that if the odd-even scheme is combined with the number coding program, many motorists would not be able to use EDSA four days out of the week. Artes said this would not be the case. ''Yung isang beses na lang nila magagamit 'yung sasakyan nila sa EDSA? Hindi po ganun. Hindi siya on top, it will replace. So sa EDSA, ang magru-rule na d'yan, 'yung odd-even. On other roads, 'yung regular na number coding,' Artes told GMA Integrated News. (The idea that they would only be able to use their vehicle on one day on EDSA? It won't be like that. It won't be on top of the number coding, it will replace it. So on EDSA, the odd-even scheme will prevail. On other roads, the regular number coding is still in place.) Artes also said that the MMDA has extended the program's dry run to one month to sync with the Department of Transportation's proposal to waive toll fees on certain segments of the Skyway in July when the rebuilding would be in full swing. He added that this would also allow them to collect data to study to determine whether window hours on EDSA would be feasible. 'Pag nakita po natin na pag 10 p.m. na lumuluwag na, baka pwede tayong mag-window ng 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.,' he said. (If we see that traffic starts lightening at 10 p.m., we might implement window hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) Exempted from the odd even scheme are hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and transport network service vehicles (TNVS)—as well as motorcycles, whether private or with ride-hailing companies. MMDA has issued rerouting plans when EDSA begins rebuilding @gmanews @24OrasGMA — Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) May 27, 2025 The MMDA has also released traffic rerouting schemes. The EDSA rebuilding will start on June 13 and is expected to be finished in 2027. But Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said they would endeavor to finish the EDSA bus lane by the end of the year given that it caters to thousands of commuters daily. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
05-02-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
MMDA eyes possible shutdown of EDSA busway
Operations of the Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) busway may be shut down eventually should there be enough passenger capacity for the Metro Rail Line Transit (MRT-3), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 5, MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said there are plans to launch a new train wagon to increase the current MRT capacity by 30%. Artes said the purpose of the MRT and EDSA busway is just 'repetitive.' 'Kung maa-accommodate naman sa taas, sa tren iyong mga pasahero, we don't see the need na magkaroon pa ng bus kasi exactly the same route nga siya. In fact, mas bentahe pa nga ang train dahil mas marami siyang stops kaysa sa bus carousel,' he said. The MMDA chief said there are also suggestions to free up the current EDSA bus lane for use of high-occupancy vehicles. 'May plano po ang DOTr na talagang magkaroon ng seamless transfer from different train system like MRT, idugtong na talaga sa LRT 1, or iyong sa north, same, LRT-1,' Artes noted. Artes, however, clarified that the proposal will not happen if train capacity will not be addressed. 'Hangga't hindi pa kaya i-accomodate ng MRT iyong pasahero po ng bus carousel, hindi maaalis iyong buses na iyan,' he said. Just early this week, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the DOTr is fixing terms of reference for the privatization of the EDSA carousel operations for a possible turnover in 2026. The special bus lane began in 2020 to address travel woes during the pandemic. It followed a paid fare system in 2023. Bus operations stretch from Monumento in Caloocan to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
