MMDA Hotline Number 136 — 24/7 Metro Manila Traffic & Emergency Contact

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority operates hotline 136 as its main public contact channel. This number routes to MMDA's Metrobase command center in Makati, which coordinates traffic management, emergency response, and complaint handling across all 17 Metro Manila cities. The line accepts calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Both landline and mobile callers can reach 136 without incurring charges — Globe, Smart, PLDT, and other major networks support toll-free dialing to this number. Average wait time during peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM) is 2-4 minutes, while off-peak calls typically connect within 30 seconds.

Metrobase 136 processes six main categories of calls. Traffic incident reports include collisions, stalled vehicles, road obstructions, and debris on expressway ramps connecting to Metro Manila roads. Emergency assistance covers medical emergencies on highways, fire reports near toll plazas, and requests for MMDA tow trucks or ambulances. Traffic updates provide real-time congestion reports for EDSA, C-5, Commonwealth Avenue, and major routes leading to NLEX, SLEX, and Skyway entry points. Complaint filing handles illegal parking, reckless driving, smoke belching, and traffic violations witnessed on Metro Manila streets. Infrastructure issues like potholes on roads approaching expressway toll plazas, broken streetlights near RFID lanes, and flood reports blocking access to tollways are also logged. General inquiries about traffic rules, vehicle registration requirements, and number coding schedules round out the service scope.

1. 1

   Traffic Incidents

   Accidents, stalled vehicles, road obstructions, debris on expressway approaches

2. 2

   Emergency Assistance

   Medical emergencies, fire reports, tow truck requests, ambulance dispatch

3. 3

   Traffic Updates

   Real-time congestion on EDSA, C-5, Commonwealth, routes to NLEX/SLEX/Skyway

4. 4

   Complaint Filing

   Illegal parking, reckless driving, smoke belching, traffic violations

5. 5

   Infrastructure Issues

   Potholes near toll plazas, broken lights at RFID lanes, flooding blocking tollways

6. 6

   General Inquiries

   Traffic rules, registration requirements, number coding schedules

Dial 136 from any phone in Metro Manila. Mobile users on Globe, Smart, Sun, DITO, and TNT networks can call without load — the number is toll-free. Landline users on PLDT, Bayantel, and other providers also connect at no charge. When the operator answers, state your concern clearly: location first, then the issue. For example, "Northbound EDSA-Balintawak near NLEX ramp, three-car collision blocking two lanes." Provide your callback number in case the line drops. If reporting a traffic violation, note the vehicle plate number, color, make, and exact location. For emergencies requiring immediate dispatch (ambulance, fire truck, tow vehicle), emphasize urgency and confirm your precise location using landmarks visible from the road.

1. 1

   Dial 136

   From any landline or mobile phone in Metro Manila — call is free

2. 2

   Wait for Operator

   Average 30 seconds off-peak, 2-4 minutes during rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-8 PM)

3. 3

   State Location First

   Example: Northbound EDSA-Balintawak near NLEX ramp, before toll plaza

4. 4

   Describe Issue Clearly

   Accident, stalled vehicle, illegal parking, traffic update request, complaint

5. 5

   Provide Callback Number

   In case line drops or follow-up needed

6. 6

   Note Details for Violations

   Plate number, vehicle color/make, exact location, time of incident

Beyond the 136 hotline, MMDA maintains department-specific lines for targeted concerns. The Traffic Discipline Office at (02) 8882-0925 handles apprehension inquiries, violation payments, and requests for official receipts. The Engineering Department at (02) 8882-4150 addresses road construction complaints, pothole reports, and infrastructure damage near expressway connections. The Parking Authority at (02) 8882-0896 processes illegal parking complaints and towing fee inquiries for vehicles removed from roads approaching toll plazas. The Public Information Office at (02) 8882-4151 fields media requests and public advisories. For text-based reporting, MMDA monitors its official Facebook page (@MMDA.Official) and Twitter/X account (@MMDA) — response time averages 15-30 minutes during office hours (8 AM-5 PM, Monday-Friday).

While MMDA does not operate toll expressways, the 136 hotline coordinates with expressway operators for incidents on connecting roads. If a collision on EDSA-Balintawak blocks access to the NLEX entry ramp, calling 136 dispatches MMDA traffic enforcers to clear the scene and notifies NLEX of the backup. For stalled vehicles on roads leading to Skyway Stage 3 toll plazas, MMDA's tow trucks can move the obstruction to the nearest safe zone, then hand off to the expressway operator if the vehicle needs to be towed onto the tollway itself. Flood reports blocking routes to SLEX Magallanes or NAIAX Parañaque entry points are logged by Metrobase and relayed to the respective toll operators and local government units. MMDA does not handle RFID balance issues, toll disputes, or incidents occurring inside expressway boundaries — those require direct contact with the toll operator's hotline (NLEX: 8-7000-NLEX, SLEX: 8-7000-SLEX, Skyway: 8-7000-7539).

MMDA's response depends on incident type and location. For life-threatening emergencies (collision with injuries, fire near a toll plaza approach), ambulance or fire truck dispatch averages 8-12 minutes in central Metro Manila, 15-20 minutes in outlying areas like Valenzuela or Parañaque. Tow truck arrival for stalled vehicles ranges from 15-30 minutes during off-peak hours to 45-60 minutes during rush hour gridlock. Traffic enforcers responding to illegal parking or minor collisions typically arrive within 20-30 minutes, faster if the incident blocks a major expressway feeder route like EDSA or C-5. Complaint filing for non-urgent violations (smoke belching, reckless driving witnessed earlier) generates a reference number, and follow-up occurs within 3-5 business days if the violator's plate is traceable via MMDA's camera network. Real-time traffic updates are provided immediately over the phone, but physical road clearing takes longer depending on congestion and available personnel.

MMDA operates 47 tow trucks stationed across Metro Manila, deployable via the 136 hotline for vehicles stalled on public roads, including those approaching expressway entry points. Towing is free for mechanical breakdowns, flat tires, or accidents where the vehicle cannot be driven. The service covers transport to the nearest safe zone, MMDA impound facility, or a repair shop within Metro Manila if the owner requests and the shop is en route. Towing for illegally parked vehicles incurs a ₱2,000-₱3,000 impound fee plus ₱150/day storage after the first 24 hours. To request a tow, call 136, provide your exact location using landmarks (e.g., "Southbound C-5 Libis, 200 meters before Eastwood City flyover, near SLEX connector ramp"), and describe the vehicle (color, make, plate number). MMDA dispatches the nearest available truck, and the operator provides an estimated arrival time. If your vehicle is on a private expressway (inside NLEX, SLEX, Skyway boundaries), MMDA cannot tow — contact the toll operator's emergency hotline instead.

1. 1

   Call 136

   State you need a tow truck for a stalled or disabled vehicle

2. 2

   Provide Exact Location

   Use landmarks, direction of travel, distance from nearest major intersection

3. 3

   Describe Vehicle

   Color, make/model, plate number, reason for breakdown

4. 4

   Confirm Destination

   Nearest safe zone, MMDA impound, or repair shop within Metro Manila

5. 5

   Wait for Arrival

   15-60 minutes depending on traffic and tow truck availability

6. 6

   Show Driver's License & OR/CR

   MMDA requires proof of ownership before towing

Motorists can report traffic violations witnessed on Metro Manila roads by calling 136 and requesting to file a complaint. MMDA accepts reports for reckless driving, illegal overtaking, counterflowing, smoke belching, illegal parking, and other violations of RA 4136 (Land Transportation Code) and local traffic ordinances. When calling, provide the violator's plate number, vehicle description (color, make, distinguishing marks), exact location, date and time of the incident, and a brief description of the violation. If you have dashcam footage or photos, the operator will provide an email address or reference number to submit digital evidence. MMDA's Traffic Adjudication Division reviews complaints within 5-7 business days. If the plate is registered and the violation is verifiable via MMDA's CCTV network or submitted evidence, a Notice of Violation is mailed to the registered owner. First-time offenses for most violations range from ₱1,000-₱2,500. Repeat offenders face higher fines and potential license suspension. Anonymous complaints are accepted, but cases with witness contact information have higher resolution rates.

Calling 136 for traffic updates is free and provides operator-assisted routing advice based on MMDA's live monitoring of EDSA, C-5, Commonwealth Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, and other major arteries. Before entering an expressway, motorists can ask about congestion on feeder routes — for example, "Is EDSA-Balintawak clear for northbound NLEX entry?" or "What's the traffic situation on SLEX Magallanes southbound approach?" Operators access real-time data from MMDA's 600+ CCTV cameras and field reports from traffic enforcers. Response includes estimated travel time, alternate routes if the primary path is gridlocked, and warnings about ongoing road construction or accidents. For expressway-bound drivers, this helps decide whether to take Skyway Stage 3 versus ground-level EDSA, or whether NLEX via Balintawak is faster than the NLEX Connector from C-3. MMDA does not provide traffic updates for conditions inside expressway boundaries — once past the toll plaza, consult the toll operator's traffic advisories or apps like Waze.

MMDA's 136 hotline does not handle issues occurring inside toll expressway boundaries. For accidents, breakdowns, RFID malfunctions, toll disputes, or emergencies past the toll plaza, contact the expressway operator directly. NLEX and SCTEX are managed by NLEX Corporation (hotline: 8-7000-NLEX or 8-7000-6539). SLEX, Skyway Stages 1-2, STAR Tollway, and MCX are operated by SMC Tollways (SLEX: 8-7000-SLEX or 8-7000-7539, Skyway: same number). Skyway Stage 3 is under San Miguel Corporation (8-7000-7539). TPLEX is managed by TPLEX Corporation (hotline:). CALAX and CAVITEX are operated by MPCALA Holdings (hotline:). NAIAX is under Megawide (hotline:). For RFID balance inquiries, Autosweep cardholders call 8-7000-7539, while Easytrip users dial 8-7000-3279. MMDA only assists with incidents on public roads approaching toll plazas — once you pass the entry barrier, jurisdiction transfers to the toll operator.

The MMDA Mobile App (available on Google Play and Apple App Store) offers an alternative to calling 136 for non-urgent reports. The app's "Report Incident" feature lets users submit traffic violations, road obstructions, and infrastructure issues with GPS-tagged photos. Submissions route to MMDA's Metrobase command center and generate a reference number for tracking. Average response time for app-based reports is 30-60 minutes during office hours, slower overnight. The app also displays real-time traffic maps for EDSA, C-5, and Commonwealth Avenue, though coverage does not extend inside expressway boundaries. For urgent emergencies requiring immediate dispatch (ambulance, fire truck, serious collision), calling 136 remains faster than app submission. The app is best used for documenting violations witnessed earlier (illegal parking, smoke belching) where a phone call isn't practical, or for reporting potholes and infrastructure damage when you're already past the location and can't safely stop to call.

MMDA's authority covers the 17 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila: Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela. The agency does not operate outside Metro Manila — incidents in Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, or Rizal fall under provincial or municipal traffic authorities. MMDA manages public roads, bridges, and underpasses within Metro Manila, but private toll expressways (NLEX, SLEX, Skyway, TPLEX, CALAX, CAVITEX, etc.) are governed by their respective operators and the Toll Regulatory Board. MMDA can respond to incidents on roads leading to expressway entry points (e.g., EDSA-Balintawak approach to NLEX), but once a vehicle enters the toll plaza, jurisdiction transfers. For violations on national highways outside Metro Manila, contact the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) at 8-722-0650 or the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at 8-927-5179.