Definition of Jaywalking
- Jaywalking is defined by three specific acts:
- Crossing streets or highways outside marked crosswalks, pedestrian crossings, or pedestrian overpasses; where absent, crossing at corners or intersections perpendicular to the street.
- Crossing within marked crosswalks or pedestrian crossings but disobeying traffic signals or hand signals of traffic enforcers.
- Walking outside sidewalks in a manner that obstructs, inconveniences, or prevents free passage of vehicles.
Geographic Coverage
- The ordinance applies uniformly across all cities and municipalities within Metropolitan Manila.
- It declares all acts of jaywalking as unlawful throughout this jurisdiction.
Relation to Existing Ordinances
- This ordinance supplements, but does not amend or repeal, existing anti-jaywalking ordinances of individual cities and municipalities within Metropolitan Manila.
- It serves as a harmonizing measure to strengthen traffic regulation efforts.
Penalties for Violation
- Violations are subject to a fine of One Hundred Pesos (P100.00).
- Alternatively or additionally, violators may undergo community service of up to one day.
- The imposition of penalty or community service is at the discretion of the court handling the offense.
Effectivity Clause
- The ordinance takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation in Metropolitan Manila.
- Official adoption was on 03 August 1995, with signatures by the MMDA Council members, including the Chairman and Mayors of the Metropolitan Manila cities and municipalities.
Legal and Administrative Significance
- The ordinance represents a legal measure addressing a contributory factor to traffic congestion—jaywalking.
- It establishes clear definitions, scope, and penalties to enforce pedestrian discipline.
- It empowers law enforcement to regulate pedestrian behavior in coordination with traffic regulations and signals.
- This contributes to orderly traffic flow and public safety within the metropolitan area.