‘Hit-seeking’ MMDA

More than 4,000 pedestrians were ticketed for jaywalking in 2018, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The number of such violators is increasing every year even if more pedestrian crossings in Metro Manila were put up, MMDA spokesman Celine Pialago said.

The P500 fine and eight-hour community service penalties for jaywalkers are also not being paid and ignored making these deterrents useless, Pialago added.

To force ticketed jaywalkers to pay the fine or render community service and deter pedestrians from jaywalking, the MMDA is planning to put such violation in their National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) record. That will result in the so-called “hit” when the fine-dodgers apply for an NBI Clearance, according to Pialago.

A hit means the clearance applicant cannot get the NBI document required in applying for a job. He or she will have to clear the “hit” or criminal record at the NBI office by settling their unpaid penalty with the MMDA.

The policy is still a proposal that needs approval from the Metro Manila Council, said Pialago. In case it is approved though, it may backfire.

If a pasaway pedestrian gets a “hit,” they may suffer the additional hassle of clearing their NBI record or miss an employment opportunity that requires an NBI Clearance if they ignore the “hit.” Jaywalker or not, people not getting employed will not sit well with the Department of Labor and Employment and may hit the MMDA for that.