DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 13 December)—The hefty fines on the new speed limit ordinance here are intended to discipline potential violators and not for “money-making,” a city councilor said.
“We have big penalties precisely so that we can regulate people using roads, to discourage you from violating the ordinance,” Luna Acosta, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on peace and public safety and the proponent of the new ordinance, said during the Wednesdays Media Forum at the Habi at Kape at Abreeza Ayala Malls.
“It’s not a money-making scheme of the city government of Davao. Our purpose is not to raise revenue, or to make people pay for your use of the road. It’s precisely to deter you from violating the speed limit ordinance,” she added.
In the new ordinance, violators face a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second, and P5,000 for the third and final offense. If a violator can’t pay the fine in seven days, a P500 additional penalty will be slapped on the driver.
Implementing agencies of the new ordinance will be the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) and the Philippine National Police – Traffic Enforcement Unit (PNP-TEU).
Currently, Executive Order No. 39 series of 2013 or the Speed Limit Ordinance of Davao City, which was signed by then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, imposes a fine of only P500 per violation.
It was amended by City Ordinance 0270-23 series of 2023, which was authored by Acosta.
Acosta said potential modernized jeepneys, traditional jeepneys and taxis are included under “light vehicles.”
“The understanding of the different agencies that will implement this ordinance is that jeepneys and taxis will fall under light vehicles,” Acosta said.
Likewise, Section 17 of the ordinance stated that the CTTMO must review efficiency of speed limits every three years to ensure “speed limits are appropriate for the actual road conditions,” and an amendment can be done if applicable.
The new ordinance introduces changes to the maximum allowable speeds on various roads in Davao.
Along the Davao-Bukidnon Road, the maximum speed limit for light vehicles and motorcycles is set at 80 kilometers per hour (kph), while trucks, buses, and passenger vans have a limit of 50 kph. Similarly, on specific routes like Crossing Panacan to Crossing Bunawan, Ulas Crossing to Lacson checkpoint in Calinan, Ulas Crossing to Carabao Monument Waypark, and the Davao City Coastal Road from Tulip Drive to Bago Aplaya, the maximum speed for light vehicles is 60 kph, while larger vehicles must not exceed 50 kph.
Other primary and secondary roads have a speed limit of 40 kph, and inner roads, 30 kph. Bigger vehicles, regardless of the road classification, should travel at a maximum speed of 30 kph.
The current ordinance has only three speed limits—60, 40, and 30 kph. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
