Penalties for Illegal Counterflow in Metro Manila

Section 6 of R.A. 7924 is the statutory basis for adopting and promulgating the Regulation through the Council (pursuant to Sec. 6 of R.A. 7924).
MMDA Ordinance No. 4, s. 1995 is recognized in the Regulation’s statements as having considered illegal/unauthorized counterflow as an additional ground for suspension/revocation of a driver’s license.
Section 4 provides that any ordinance, rules, regulations, and other issuances inconsistent with the Regulation are repealed or modified accordingly.

The Regulation targets rampant and repeated disregard of traffic rules on illegal/unauthorized counterflow, treating it as a major cause of traffic congestion and accidents in Metro Manila.
The Regulation imposes stiffer penalties to curb rising vehicular accidents and to alleviate worsening traffic in Metro Manila.

“Illegal or unauthorized counterflow” means going against the flow of traffic, including counterflow on one-way street and driving on the wrong side of the street (Section 1).

The Regulation declares illegal/unauthorized counterflow dangerous and unlawful (Section 2).
It applies to all city and municipal roads in Metropolitan Manila (Section 2).

A driver found violating the Regulation is penalized by a fine of PHP 2,000.00 per offense (Section 3).
On top of the fine, the violation causes suspension of the driver’s license for:
- 3 months on the first offense (Section 3).
- 6 months on the second offense (Section 3).
On the third offense, the driver’s license is revoked (Section 3).

Any ordinance, rules and regulations, or other issuances that are inconsistent with MMDA Regulation No. 97-003 are repealed or modified accordingly (Section 4).

The Regulation takes effect 15 days after publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in Metro Manila (Section 5).