The local government of Makati collected around P77 million from violators of City Ordinance 2003-089, or the New Makati Traffic Code in 2017.
The city finance department reported to Mayor Abigail Binay that Miscellaneous Taxes Fees and Charges Division data showed that total collections from the strict implementation of the ordinance reached P76,931,424.75 last year.
Likewise, right after the holidays, the Makati Public Safety Department (PSD), other local offices and members of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT), have conducted joint operations netting a total of 600 violations in the first eight working days of the year.
The PSD reported to the mayor that illegal parking topped the list of violations, with 176 recorded during operations done by the composite team from January 3 to 12 on major thoroughfares and streets in the city.
Binay said the city government needs to be relentless in promoting order and discipline on the streets, given the heavy vehicular volume in the area, especially during rush hours.
“As it is, our roads are already congested. We have seen how even a minor traffic offense or an improperly parked car can lead to a major traffic gridlock because of the sheer volume of vehicles. Leniency with disobedient motorists is, therefore, not an option in Makati,” the mayor said.
Via the four entry and exit points of Makati—Edsa, C5, Osmeña and Roxas Boulevard—around 2.7 million vehicles access the city’s roads daily.
Parking violators were apprehended in areas, such as Mantrade, Pasong Tamo, A.P. Reyes Street to Kalayaan Avenue, Malugay Street corner Ayala Avenue, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue. Other offenders were caught on Valdez Street, Burgos Street and J.P. Rizal Street in Barangay Poblacion; S. Javier Street and Evangelista Street in Barangay Pio del Pilar; Edison Street in Barangay San Isidro and various streets in Barangay Comembo and Bangkal.
Other violations recorded in the joint operations during the said period included driving without transport ID, driver’s license, seatbelt and helmet and violation of the dress code; illegal terminals and colorum tricycles; obstruction of roads; illegal counter flow; coding violation; disregarding lane markings; illegal display of signboard; and violation of the restriction on open mufflers.
Last December the City Council approved new traffic-management systems and parking guidelines in Barangays Carmona, San Antonio and Tejeros in District I, and Barangays Cembo and Comembo in District 2, with the support of the mayor.
“We are determined to give teeth to our city ordinances and ensure their effective enforcement. We also constantly review these policies to identify any provision that need to be revised and updated to address current needs and emerging issues, “Binay stressed.
As mandated by City Ordinance Nos. 2017 – 136, 139, 140, and 141, the “no parking” policy will be enforced at all times on streets in certain barangays.
In Brgy. Carmona, these are E. Rodriguez St., D. Benito St., Guizon St. and E. Pascua St.
In Brgy. Tejeros, J.P. Rizal Ave., Pasong Tamo St., Pasong Tirad St., (from J.P. Rizal St. to Davila St.), A.P. Reyes Ave., Primo Rivera St., F. Nazario St., Kalayaan Ave., Metropolitan Ave., Primo Rivera St. and H. Santos St.
In Brgy. San Antonio, Bagtikan St., Alley from Sampaloc St. to Banuyo St., Estrella St. and Talisay St.
In Brgy. Comembo, Sampaguita St., Chico St., Aguho St., and Lanzones St (from Sampaloc thru J.P. Rizal) will be “no parking zones”.
Meanwhile, the new regulations for Barangay Cembo have specified that blind corners marked with a yellow box will not allow vehicular parking at all times.
In 2017, the PSD Taskforce and i-ACT teams, including deputized personnel from the Department of Environmental Services, Department of Engineering and Public Works, Makati Action Center, and the Makati Police-Highway Patrol Group, issued a combined total of 6,621 citation tickets during scheduled traffic operations.
Meanwhile, the Ordinance Violation Receipt Redemption Management Division of PSD reported an total of 117,738 citation tickets issued to traffic violators last year.