Abalos eyes stiffer penalties for jaywalking on EDSA, C-5

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday suggested imposing stiffer penalties for jaywalking on EDSA and C-5 following recent accidents.

In a press conference, Abalos encouraged the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as well as concerned local government units (LGUs) to study his suggestion.

“Magsimula muna tayo doon sa mga delikadong lugar. This is EDSA, unang-una, highway. Number two, C-5. Ang bibilis ng mga sasakyan diyan,” he said.

(Let’s start with dangerous highways like EDSA and C-5. The vehicles there go very fast.)

“I just do hope that MMDA could have a study here at sana hikayatin kasi ang cover ng EDSA diyan would be Caloocan, San Juan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay. Kung ang penalty mo ay P500 lang ba, isipin mo? Isagad mo na, i-maximum mo na o i-community service mo siya,” he added.

(I just do hope that MMDA could have a study here and encourage the covered LGUs like Caloocan, San Juan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay. If your penalty is just P500, increase it to the maximum or make violators do community service.)

MMDA chairperson Romando Artes expressed support for Abalos' suggestion.

“Kung ako po personally, I am for increasing iyong penalties for violation para po magdala ang tao, madisiplina, and sumunod po sa batas trapiko,” he said.

(Personally, I am for increasing the penalties for violation so people would be disciplined and follow the traffic laws.)

Artes said the MMDA will work with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to come up with solutions to prevent people from crossing EDSA. — BM, GMA Integrated News