THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has moved the implementation of higher fines for illegal parking and road obstruction to January 7. MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia Jr., in a press conference on Wednesday, said the postponement is due to ticketing system adjustments and in consideration of the Christmas season expenses. “Inaayos pa namin ang aming (We are still fixing our) ticketing collection system (for) traffic violation. Marami ring naghihigpit ng sinturon ngayong Kapaskuhan (A lot of people are also tightening their belts this Christmas),” he said. The new rates are P1,000 for an “Attended Illegally-Parked” vehicle, which means a driver is present within or outside the car, and P2,000 for those unattended. The old rates were P200 and P500, respectively. Motorists obstructing the road will now have to pay a fine of P1,000 from only P150. The increase is based on regulations signed by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA. Under the new rules, a motorist can be fined up to P4,000 a day. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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