Scope of Prohibition
- Applies to public utility vehicles operating within Metro Manila including buses, jeepneys, FXs, taxis, and school buses.
- Specifically prohibits:
- Dark tinted, colored, or painted windshield or window glass.
- Curtains, blinds, and devices that obstruct the view from the outside.
Rationale for the Regulation
- Despite existing prohibitions, usage of curtains, dark tinted glass, and blinds is rampant in public utility vehicles.
- These devices facilitate criminal activities such as robberies or hold-ups inside vehicles by obscuring visibility.
- The regulation is implemented to ensure public safety and prevent illegal acts inside public vehicles.
Penalties and Enforcement
- Vehicle owners/operators found violating the prohibition are subject to a fine of Five Hundred Pesos (₱500.00).
- Mandatory removal of the offending curtains, blinds, or similar devices on site.
- For tinted or painted glass, the MMDA Traffic Operations Center is authorized to remove the tint or paint.
- The cost of removal is charged to the owner/operator of the vehicle.
Implementation and Effectivity
- The regulation takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in Metro Manila.
- Enforcement is under the authority of Metro Manila Council and MMDA Traffic Operations Center.
Legal Authority
- The enactment is pursuant to Section 5 (f) of Republic Act No. 7924 granting the Council power to enact regulations for Metro Manila.
Key Legal Concepts
- Public safety enhancement through regulation of vehicle window treatments.
- Strict liability imposed on vehicle owners/operators for compliance.
- Empowerment of local traffic authorities to enforce and physically remedy violations at owner's cost.
- Clear delineation of covered public utility vehicle types and prohibited window treatments.