Antipolo City is the capital of the province of Rizal. With more than 887,000 people as of 2020, it is the most populated city in CALABARZON, and the seventh most-populated city in the country. Due to its high elevation, many people come here at night, dining in restaurants that offer beautiful, scenic views of Metro Manila.
The city is also known as the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines,” since it has many spiritual destinations like the Antipolo Cathedral, which is the first international Catholic shrine in the country. Everyday, numerous private cars and public vehicles traverse the city’s major thoroughfares. To manage traffic, the Antipolo City Office of Public Safety and Security – Traffic Management Division (OPSS-TMD) was established; its functions are quite similar to those of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
What is the OPSS-TMD?
The Office of Public Safety and Security – Traffic Management Division (OPSS-TMD) is the government unit responsible for managing traffic flow, enforcing traffic laws and regulations, and implementing other road safety and security rules in Antipolo City.
Aside from the TMD, the OPSS also includes other divisions/sections, such as the Administrative Division, Redemption Section, Adjudication Section, and an Anti-sexual Harassment (ASH) Desk.
Vision and Mission
The OPSS-TMD’s functions go in line with the Antipolo City Government’s vision and mission, as follows:
Vision. Antipolo City is envisioned to be “a pilgrim city that leads through sustainability, balanced environment, and empowered citizens committed to excellence and governance.”
Mission. The city government’s mission is “to develop a responsive government for economic progress and education.”
External Services
Based on the Citizen’s Charter of the Antipolo City Government, in addition to managing traffic and implementing traffic laws, the OPSS-TMD provides the following external services:
Inspection of Tricycle-for-Hire / Public Utility Vehicle Subject for Renewal of Stickers and City Plates
In line with the yearly registration of public utility jeepneys (PUVs), tricycles-for-hire, and UV Express, the OPSS-TMD conducts an inspection. This involves the renewal of stickers and/or city plates.
Issuance of Certification of Impounded Vehicle
The OPSS facilitates the issuance of Certification of Impounded Vehicle to legal owners of impounded vehicles (or their authorized representatives) for legal purposes.
Issuance of Certification of No Apprehension
The OPSS Redemption Section facilitates the issuance of Certification of No Apprehension to drivers and legal owners of vehicles, for purposes of driver’s license renewal or other legal intents.
Issuance of OPSS Certification and/or Certified True Copy of Report/Blotter of Traffic Accidents and Other Incidents
In cases of traffic accidents and other incidents, the OPSS facilitates the issuance of Certification and/or Certified True Copy of reports/blotters. This is issued to individuals/parties involved in traffic accidents, or to their authorized representative.
Issuance of Traffic Clearance
The OPSS facilitates the issuance of Traffic Clearance to business entities, government agencies, or their authorized representatives. In accordance with traffic laws, this is issued for the purpose of implementing projects within the territorial jurisdiction of Antipolo City. The Traffic Clearance is part of the requirements when applying for a business permit and other types of permits/licenses from the Antipolo City Government.
Redemption of Impounded Vehicle
Legal owners (or their authorized representatives) of vehicles that have been impounded due to traffic violations or vehicular accidents can redeem their vehicles from the City Impounding Area, provided that the penalties and charges have been settled.
Redemption of Wheel-Clamped Vehicle
Legal owners (or their authorized representatives) of any motor vehicle that has been in clamped due to violation of the Antipolo City Wheel Clamping Ordinance of 2016 can redeem their vehicles after paying the corresponding penalties and charges. They can make their payments at the TOPCOP Office, which is located at Sumulong Park, near the Antipolo City Hall building.
Settlement of Admitted Apprehension
Motorists whose driver’s license and/or LTO plate have been confiscated due to violations of traffuc rules, regulations, and other city ordinances may redeem their items at the OPSS Redemption Section after payment of the corresponding penalties and charges.
Settlement of Jaywalking Violation
Based on the number of offenses committed, apprehended jaywalkers need to pay the corresponding fine or perform community service after attending the lecture conducted by the OPSS or PNP personnel on duty.
The fines for jaywalking are as follows:
- First Offense – PHP 300 or community service of three (3) hours;
- Second Offense – PHP 500 or community service of five (5) hours); and
- Third Offense – PHP 800 or community service of eight (8) hours.
Support Services to Research Works
Students who are conducting research related to traffic management and other traffic related concerns may obtain information from the OPSS-TMD and Administrative Division.
Violations and Penalties
Meanwhile, here is a list of traffic violations and penalties enforced in Antipolo City:
- Improper Display of LTO Plate – PHP 150
- Improvised Plate – PHP 150
- Interior Lighting – PHP 150
- No Canvass Cover – PHP 150
- No LTO Sticker – PHP 150
- No / Uncarried OR/CR – PHP 150
- No Affiliation / No Mudguard – PHP 250
- No City Plate – PHP 250
- No Franchise / Document Carried – PHP 250
- No Seatbelt / Dress Code – PHP 250
- Student Permit – PHP 250
- Excessive Smoke/Smoke Belching – PHP 300
- Arrogant Driver – PHP 400
- No LTO Plate – PHP 400
- Unregistered MV/PUJ – PHP 450
- Unregistered Side Car – PHP 450
- Counterflow – PHP 500
- Delinquent OVR/Driver’s License – PHP 500
- Disregarding Traffic Sign – PHP 500
- Disregarding Traffic Officer – PHP 500
- Driving Tricycle on National Road/Highway – PHP 500
- Driving Motorcycle with Minor – PHP 500
- Illegal Change Color – PHP 500
- Improper Attire – PHP 500
- Loading/Unloading on Prohibited Areas – PHP 500
- No Crash Helmet – PHP 500
- No Entry – PHP 500
- No Left/Right Turn – PHP 500
- No Waste Can – PHP 500
- No U-Turn – PHP 500
- Overspeeding – PHP 500
- Reckless Driving – PHP 500
- Taripa – PHP 500
- No Sticker (Antipolo Identification Sticker) – PHP 800
- Coding (Tricycle) – PHP 1,000
- Prohibition of Barker – PHP 1,000
- Refuse to Convey Passenger – PHP 1,000
- Trip Cutting – PHP 1,000
- Obstruction – PHP 1,000 (Light/Private Vehicle) / PHP 3,000 (Vehicles for Hire) PHP 5,000 (Truck, 10 wheeler up)
- Invalid Franchise – PHP 1,200
- Fake Driver’s License – PHP 1,500
- Truck Ban – PHP 1,500
- Driving Under Influence of Drugs/Liquor – PHP 2,000
- Fake Registration / LTO Plate / Sticker – PHP 3,000
- Out of Line / Route – PHP 3,000
- Colorum – PHP 3,000 (if driven by driver) / PHP 5,000 (if driven by operator)
- Overloading – PHP 4,000 – driven by operator (tricycle for hire) / PHP 3,000 – driver plus PHP 3000 – operator/owner (tricycle for hire) / PHP 500 – PUJ/Motorcycle
- Driving Without License – PHP 5,000
- Illegal Parking – PHP 5,000
- Illegal Terminal – PHP 5,000
- Open Muffler – PHP 5,000 – TC (Cancellation of Franchise)
- Overcharging – PHP 5,000 – driven by operator (Cancellation of Franchise) / PHP 5,000 – driven by driver plus PHP 3,000 – operator/owner
Contact Information: OPSS-TMD
If you have any questions or concerns for the OPSS-TMD, you can get in touch with them through these contact details:
Address: Antipolo City Fire Station, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Antipolo, 1870 Rizal
Telephone: (02) 8734 2470
Website: https://antipolo.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPSS.Antipolo/
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
Since it is one of the most populated cities in the country, traffic congestion in Antipolo City is a common occurrence. Fortunately, the Office of Public Safety and Security – Traffic Management Division (OPSS-TMD) is here to manage traffic and ensure the road safety of all motorists, commuters, and pedestrians in the city.
In other parts of Rizal province, there are authorities performing similar functions as the OPSS-TMD. In Marikina City, for example, there’s the Traffic Management and Enforcement Unit (TMEU).