COA: 75% of MMDA vehicles unregistered

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has scolded the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for violating transportation rules after state auditors found that more than half of the vehicles being used by the MMDA were not registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In an annual audit report released on Sept. 30, the COA said of the 531 vehicles (inclusive of motorcycles) of the MMDA, 399 or 75.14 percent were not registered with the LTO. Only 132 vehicles have registration papers.

The audit body said the unregistered vehicles are being used by MMDA traffic enforcers even if most of these need repairs or rehabilitation.

“As one of the government agencies enforcing traffic laws, the MMDA should act as a role model for the public and strictly follow rules prescribed by the LTO for motor vehicle renewal and registration,” the COA said.

The MMDA is mandated to implement transport and traffic management, including imposition of fines for unregistered vehicles, state auditors noted.

The COA said a probe by the audit team also showed that the MMDA incurred unnecessary expenses in 2019 worth P101,237 representing penalties for late registration and renewal of motor vehicles.

Six vehicles of the MMDA are still registered under the names of their previous owners, according to the audit body.