WHILE we may pride ourselves in the kindness and generosity of Filipinos, any positive tourist or visitor impression is soon tarnished by the general lack of decency and caring on our roads. In the most livable cities around the world, drivers stop for pedestrians at painted “zebra” crosswalks to allow each person to cross safely before moving forward. However, in the Philippines, you will find very few crosswalks where pedestrians can cross with confidence. Somehow, drivers of motor vehicles, whether in cars or motorcycles, are transformed into fiercely competitive warriors, unwilling to yield space to any other road user — whether in a motor vehicle, on a bicycle or on foot.
Republic Act 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, enacted over 60 years ago, requires every vehicle to come to a full stop at pedestrian crosswalks when any person is attempting to cross. Even though drivers already know that pedestrians have the absolute right-of-way at every pedestrian crossing, very few stops for them. Laws mean nothing if they are hardly enforced; you can expect rules to be routinely broken when there are no sanctions for wrongdoing.
In the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Plan — the policy and planning guidebook of the Marcos administration — there is the declaration that, in the hierarchy of road users, pedestrians and cyclists will enjoy the highest priority. These words remain empty if law enforcers do nothing to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable road users and if every other motorist violates traffic regulations with impunity. Similarly disappointing is the General Appropriations Act for 2025, which allocated only P60 million for active transport infrastructure despite the obvious deficiencies all over the country.
If the Marcos government is looking for one low-cost, high-impact initiative that could make a transformative difference in our society before the end of its term, it could be about ensuring that every pedestrian crosswalk in the country is a safe pathway for pedestrians and for persons with disability. To change behavior, every motorist must believe that there will be material consequences for failing to follow basic traffic rules, and that the probability of receiving the consequence is very high. What will it take?
First, camera-based no-contact apprehension (NCAP) should be restored so that every traffic violation caught is penalized. NCAP cameras, conspicuously positioned, can be placed at major pedestrian crossings with the warning that the cameras are there for the protection and safety of pedestrians. Every violation should be captured by the NCAP system and dealt with accordingly. It is the certainty of punishment that shapes driver behavior in the direction of full compliance. Using NCAP also avoids the possibility of a traffic enforcer absolving the violator after taking a bribe.
It is unfortunate that the NCAP operations of the MMDA and in the cities of Manila, Muntinlupa, Quezon, Parañaque and Valenzuela were suspended in August 2022 under a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court. The prevailing view among commuters, pedestrians and cyclists is that driver behavior was more compliant and streets were much safer while NCAP was in operation. The resumption and expansion of NCAP is therefore key to achieving a more walkable urban environment, improving traffic flow, reducing the incidence of road crashes and controlling corrupt traffic enforcer practices.
Once restored, NCAP could be enhanced by allowing ordinary citizens to report traffic violations of all kinds and offering a financial reward to those able to submit camera-based evidence of violations. A current example is in Vietnam where under Decree 176/2024, citizens can earn a financial reward of about 5 million VND (around $200) for reporting traffic offenses. Under the new rule, which took effect on January 1, informants are entitled to up to 10 percent of the fine paid by the violator, and confidentiality of the identity of the informant is ensured. Even traffic enforcers could shift to using this mechanism when off duty instead of relying on bribes.
What should the Marcos administration focus on during its remaining 3.5 years in office? Fixing fundamental issues in our mobility environment — something as simple as making pedestrian crossings effective and safe — can deliver meaningful, broad-based benefits for millions of Filipinos. When Filipinos can be confident in the protection offered by every pedestrian crossing, it will be one clear signal that vulnerable road users are prioritized over those in cars, that human life is valued more than the travel speed of motor vehicles and that the quality of our democracy has improved.
Robert Y. Siy is a development economist, city and regional planner, and public transport advocate. He is a co-convenor of the Move As One Coalition. He can be reached at [email protected] or followed on Twitter @RobertRsiy.
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