MMDA nabs 1,544 jaywalkers for Week 1

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s “men-in-red” have apprehended and issued pedestrian violation receipts (PVRS) to 1,544 jaywalkers in the first week of the MMDA’S drive against jaywalking, an official said yesterday.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the large number of jaywalkers apprehended shows the need to focus on educating pedestrians on the proper use of pedestrian lanes and footbridges in crossing the street.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said the MMDA is coordinating with the various local government units of Metro Manila to deploy personnel to help the agency’s anti-jaywalking personnel (called the “men-in-red” because of the bright red shirts they wear).

The MMDA nabbed 164 persons for jaywalking on the first day of its anti-jaywalking operations last June 5.

Tolentino said those apprehended were issued PVRS and were made to pay a P200 fine. Some of those apprehended opted to attend an on-the-spot seminar on disaster preparedness after refusing to pay the fine, he said.

Most of those apprehended were from the Edsa-Ortigas intersection area, the Commonwealth Avenue-Litex Road area, Balintawak, and the EDSA-taft Avenue area.

“We should highlight to the public the dangers of jaywalking. This is one way to discourage them from crossing just about anywhere,” Tolentino said.

According to the MMDA, 54 percent of road accidents in Metro Manila were caused by jaywalkers.