The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, in partnership with the Landbank of the Philippines and CIS BAYAD CENTER, INC., launched a cashless payment system, in a bid to automate collection of fines and penalties for all kinds of violations of traffic rules and regulations.
During the project launch, MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos underscored the advantages of automated fine collection such as convenience and time-saving.
“We can now pay anytime and anywhere without the need to travel.”
“In the age of digitization, cashless payment offers convenience for the clients. With the use of mobile phones and laptops/computers, we can now pay anytime and anywhere without the need to travel. Payment is now made easier and long queues will be avoided as they don’t have to go to the MMDA or any over-the-counter payment centers to pay the fines.” Abalos said.
With this new system in place, MMDA would also ensure the safety of its clients, especially in the midst of a pandemic.
“Contactless payment means less exposure to the public (no contact transaction) and less possibility of acquiring the COVID-19 virus,” the traffic chief noted.
For his part, Branch Banking Sector of the Landbank of the Philippines Executive Vice President Julio Climaco said that the addition of the MMDA to the growing roster of Landbank Link Biz Portal partners nationwide significantly strengthened the country’s ongoing push for greater financial digitization.
“This new collaboration proves to be relevant and timely as we all continue to adapt to the new normal. As the MMDA continues to advance initiatives to ease vehicle build-up on the road, our online payment portal will also, in a way, decongest foot traffic in MMDA offices,” Climaco said.
Meanwhile, CIS Bayad Center, Inc. President and CEO Lawrence Ferrer said the partnership with MMDA would give the agency’s clients more convenient service in terms of paying their obligations.
“With these cashless payment solutions, we are taking it a notch higher as we provide better service to our kababayans through online and digital channels.”
“The MMDA and Bayad Center have been partners in helping Filipino commuters and motorists settle their fines and penalties in a more convenient, easier way and with this cashless payment solutions, we are taking it a notch higher as we provide better service to our kababayans thru online and digital channels,” Ferrer said.
On a daily basis, the MMDA is receiving an average of 2,000 traffic fine over-the-counter payments through SM Payment Centers, Bayad Centers, and the MMDA Redemption Center.
Successful payment transactions will be posted the following day.
A service processing fee of P12 for Bayad Center and P15 for Landbank shall also be paid on top of the penalties.
Clients who have overpaid their payment transaction, may write a refund request letter to MMDA with proof of payment or official receipt attached. The letter should be submitted to the Traffic Ticket Management Division (TTMD) for the preparation of the voucher.
Moreover, the payor needs to ensure the correct ticket number to avoid delays. In case of an invalid or incorrect ticket number, payment will be tagged as unposted and the client may contact the MMDA Redemption center for payment correction.
The traffic head said the MMDA is also open to motorists who would contest their violations and encouraged them to go to the Authority’s Traffic Adjudication Division.
“If you think that you did not commit any violation, you could go to the MMDA office and appeal. Our adjudicators will then decide to either uphold or cancel the apprehension,” he said.
Aside from Landbank and Bayad Center, clients may also pay through Bayad Center partners such as GCash, Grabpay, and Paymaya. Other payment options include credit, debit and prepaid cards (Visa, Mastercard, and JCB).
Abalos is hopeful that this initiative can also be done in other areas within Metro Manila, with the added help of all the local government units and the private sector.
