After the approval of the Single Ticketing System early this year, and with its dry-run happening this month, its official implementation has now been given a date: May 2, 2023. On April 13, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority along with the local government units of Metro Manila signed a memorandum of agreement and data sharing agreement with the Land Transportation Office before implementing the new System in the region.
Photo: MMDA
Both signed Memoranda were for the Metro Manila LGUs’ interconnectivity with the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) of the LTO. According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, this is a “historic legislation in the Metro Manila Council since it took 28 years before being fully realized”. Ahead of its implementation, pilot testing will be undertaken by the MMDA together with seven LGUs. These are San Juan, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Manila, and Caloocan.
“The pilot testing will be done so the next LGUs that will be onboard will roll out their respective systems seamlessly,” said Artes.
Photo: LTO
For the Single Ticketing System’s implementation, handheld devices will be provided by the MMDA to on-the-ground officers. These devices provide options for cashless payments to violators and are also seen to help minimize corruption and eradicate forms of negotiations between the motorist and the officer. The agency’s former Chairman, Senator Francis Tolentino, has expressed support for the single ticketing system as he underscored the importance of integration.
“Integration will enable different systems to communicate with each other, to offer a unified solution at ‘yan ang ginagawa niyo ngayon [and that’s what you’re doing now],” the Tolentino said.
Photo: LTO
On the LTO‘s side, Chief Atty. Jay Art Tugade expressed his support for the rollout of the system through Atty. Noreen San Luis-Lutey. San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council President Francis Zamora likewise thanked his fellow local chief executives for being part of the landmark legislation.
It is the aim of the Single Ticketing System to harmonize the existing national and local laws on traffic enforcement, as well as penalties and fines for the most common traffic violations stated in the Metro Manila Traffic Code. This new System also wants to establish effective transport and traffic management in Metro Manila by standardizing apprehension procedures, payment of fines, and redemption of vehicle plates and driver’s licenses, among others.
In case you’re wondering, here are the most common violations listed as apprehendable instances in the Metro Manila Traffic Code.
Have any of you been pulled over or have seen the dry run being implemented in your area? Do you think this new System will help curb corruption and bring about a more orderly state of traffic and driving in the Metro? Do share your thoughts in the comments. After all, this is, as the government said, “monumental”.
