Situated about 14 kilometers north of Manila is Valenzuela, a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region. With a population of almost 715,000 people as of 2020, it is the sixth most populated city in the region, and the 11th most populated city in the country!
Valenzuela used to be an agricultural area. These days, however, it has become a major economic and industrial center, with many businesses, schools, shopping malls, public parks, and other establishments. The main modes of public transportation include buses, jeepneys, tricycles, and taxicabs. Traffic is managed by the Valenzuela City Traffic Management Office, which works in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
What is the Traffic Management Office?
The Traffic Management Office is responsible for managing the flow of vehicular traffic in Valenzuela City. Among its functions is the issuance of clearances for activities that may affect or impede traffic flow in the city.
Vision and Mission
The Traffic Management Office’s functions go in line with the vision and mission of the Valenzuela City Government. Based on its official website, this vision and mission relate to the city’s social, economic, infrastructure and utilities, and environment and land use sectors.
Social Sector. “We commit to ensure an efficient City Government, sustained by dignified and competent officials and employees working towards the fulfillment of our common goals, and who adhere to the Ten Codes of Discipline (i.e. Godly, Positive Thinker, Creative, Clean and Neat, Agile/Swift, Honest and Honorable, Trustworthy, Helpful/Charitable, Patriotic, and Pro-Environment).”
Economic Sector. “A corps of disciplined and competent civil servants dedicated to the efficient and effective delivery of basic services to an empowered citizenry, driven by the ideals of responsible stewardship and committed to the principles of transparent, accountable, and equitable governance.”
Infrastructure and Utilities Sector. “To achieve our common vision, we commit to ensure a cohesive community of empowered citizens and dignified public servants working together and adhering to a code of discipline in the fulfillment of our collective goals.”
Environment and Land Use Sector. “To achieve our common vision, we commit to ensure a cohesive citizenry sustained by dignified and world class officials and employees who are working together towards the fulfillment of our collective goals.”
Number Coding Scheme
The Traffic Management Office sees to it that the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program, a.k.a. “Number Coding Scheme” is implemented smoothly. This program prohibits vehicles from operating on the city’s roads or highways from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, based on the following schedule:
- Monday – license plate endings 1 and 2
- Tuesday – license plate endings 3 and 4
- Wednesday – license plate endings 5 and 6
- Thursday – license plate endings 7 and 8
- Friday – license plate endings 9 and 0
Any person who violates the Number Coding Scheme shall be fined PHP 500. On the other hand, these vehicles are exempted from this program: Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs), Transportation Network Vehicles (TNVs), motorcycles, garbage trucks, fuel trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, electric and hybrid vehicles, registered and marked government vehicles, marked media vehicles, and motor vehicles that are carrying essential or perishable goods.
Single Ticketing System
Since Valenzuela City is part of Metro Manila, it follows the Single Ticketing System, which standardizes the traffic rules and regulations implemented across the region. In relation to this, the MMDA, Land Transportation Office (LTO), and all Local Government Units (LGUs) involved issue a Unified Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR) to any motorist/driver or operator that violates traffic rules.
Violations and Penalties
Speaking of violations, here are some of the violations and fines stipulated in the Valenzuela City Land Transportation Code of 2022.
- Tricycle Ban – PHP 500
- Arrogance/Discourteous Conduct (Driver) – PHP 500
- Expired UOVR – PHP 500
- Dress Code for Motorcycles – PHP 500 (first offense) / PHP 750 (second offense) / PHP 1,000 (third offense)
- Obstruction – PHP 1,000
- Overloading – PHP 1,000
- Disregarding Traffic Sign – PHP 1,000
- Overspeeding – PHP 1,000
- Loading and Unloading in Prohibited Zone – PHP 500
- Illegal Parking – PHP 1,000 (attended) / PHP 2,000 (unattended)
- Reckless Driving – PHP 1,000 (first offense) / PHP 1,000 with seminar (second offense) / PHP 2,000 with seminar (third offense)
- Unauthorized Modification – PHP 2,000
- Illegal Counterflow – PHP 2,000
- Light Truck Ban – PHP 2,000
- Truck Ban – PHP 3,000
Violations Under Special Laws
There are special laws on transportation that are implemented across the country. These laws are enforced in Valenzuela City:
Mandatory Use of Seat Belts
Republic Act No. 8750 or the “Seat Belt Use Act of 1999” requires drivers and front seat passengers of public or private motor vehicles to wear seat belts while inside a running vehicle. Those who violate this rules will need to pay PHP 1,000 (first offense), PHP 2,000 (second offense), or PHP 1,000 plus one week suspension of driver’s license (third offense).
Child Safety in Motor Vehicles
According to Republic Act No. 11229 or the “Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act,” it shall be considered as unlawful for a driver of a covered vehicle not to secure properly a child in a Child Restraint System (CRS) while the vehicle is running. Violators will need to pay PHP 1,000 (first offense), PHP 2,000 (second offense), or PHP 5,000 plus one year suspension of driver’s license (third offense).
Moreover, the use of substandard and/or expired CRS is not allowed, as well. Violators of this rule shall be fined PHP 1,000 (first offense), PHP 3,000 (second offense), or PHP 5,000 plus suspension of driver’s license for one year (third offense).
Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmet
Republic Act No. 10054 or the “Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmet Act” requires all motorcycle drivers and back riders to wear standard protective helmets while driving on roads and highways. Violators will need to pay PHP 1,500 (first offense), PHP 3,000 (second offense), PHP 5,000 (third offense), or PHP 10,000 plus confiscation of driver’s license (fourth offense).
Likewise, anyone who uses, sells, and distributes substandard motorcycle helmets shall be fined PHP 3,000 (first offense) or PHP 5,000 (second offense).
Children’s Safety on Motorcycle
Based on Republic Act No. 10666 or the “Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act,” it is prohibited for any person to drive a motorcycle with a child on board on public roads where there is a heavy volume of vehicles. Violation of this law entails a fine of PHP 3,000 (first offense), PHP 5,000 (second offense), or PHP 10,000 plus one month suspension of driver’s license (third offense).
Anti-Distracted Driving Act
According to Republic Act 10913 or the “Anti-Distracted Driving Act,” it is unlawful for a person to use a mobile phone for calling, texting, and other similar acts while driving a motor vehicle. Violation of this rule involves a fine of PHP 5,000 (first offense), PHP 10,000 (second offense), PHP 15,000 plus three month suspension of driver’s license (third offense), or PHP 20,000 plus revocation of driver’s license (fourth offense).
Contact Information: Valenzuela Traffic Management Office
Those who have questions, complaints, and other concerns may get in touch with the Valenzuela Traffic Management Office through these contact details:
Address: Valenzuela City Action Center, MacArthur Highway (beside Puregold Price Club), Barangay Dalandanan, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1443
Telephone: (02) 8352 2000 (loc. 2102)
Email: asdelina@valenzuela.gov.ph
Website: https://v.valenzuela.gov.ph/traffic-management-office/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValenzuelaCityGov
Google Map:
Final Thoughts
As one of the most populated cities in the country, Valenzuela City encounters traffic on a daily basis, especially during rush hours. Fortunately, the Traffic Management Office is here to make sure that traffic runs smoothly and to keep everyone safe on the road.
Similarly, in other parts of Metro Manila, there are road authorities tasked to manage traffic, as well. Check out this article to read about the Pasig City Traffic and Parking Management Office (TPMO).