Royal Road Rumble

Assessing Philippine Road Rights, Responsibilities, and Policies

- Antonio Jose Galauran

WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY ON THE ROAD?

Is it the jeepney, the hailed king of the road? The humongous buses that ply EDSA? Private motorists with their busy professionals onboard? Or pedestrians who brave the searing heat and traffic on foot?

To ensure that no group’s right of way clashes with another, transport agencies in the Philippines such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) have developed various policies with the goal of improving Philippine roads. For these organizations, no group ought to be left out and compromised.

Unfortunately, each policy rolled outcomes with its pros and cons.

Below, we shed light on some of Philippines’ newest road policies to help you scrutinize whether each ordinance indeed targets safer, greener roads or merely promotes a crackdown against motorists, pedestrians, or commuters. Let the facts below help you discern who indeed should lord over the rough roads.

ROAD RULE #1: LTO’S VIOLATION POINT SYSTEM

Tired of the Philippines’ apathetic culture of violating road rules, and worse, simply getting away with violations through bribes? LTO is planning a new route to make motorists think twice before breaking the rules. Their remedy: a point system for violations with stifling sanctions.

LTO released the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 10930 that amends the Land Transportation and Traffic Code. Signed last June 26 and effective July 7, the policy extends the validity of driver’s license and penalizes numerous violations depending on the type.