A total of 1,500 traffic auxiliaries will be deployed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila starting Nov. 16 to support traffic enforcers in the management of holiday season traffic across the metropolis.
According to the MMDA, the traffic auxiliaries will be sent to man national roads, Mabuhay lanes, and other expected traffic-prone areas this holiday season.
“We need to boost the manpower all over the metropolis. Eighty traffic auxiliaries per city will help manage traffic in critical areas,” said MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia.
The MMDA has asked the assistance of city administrators and local traffic bureau officials in Metro Manila for the deployment of traffic auxiliaries, as the number of vehicles traversing along major roads is expected to increase by as much as 20 percent over the holiday season.
“We expect the number of vehicles traversing along major roads to increase by as much as 20 percent during holiday rush.”
Representatives from the local governments of Mandaluyong, Makati, Pateros, Pasay, Marikina, Navotas, Malabon, San Juan, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Pasig, and Las Piñas attended the meeting held at the MMDA headquarters.
Garcia warned that traffic officials would be issuing violation tickets to motorists who will be caught illegally parking and those who will be obstructing the roads.
“Traffic officials would issue citation tickets to illegal parking violators and those obstructing the roads.”
The MMDA also asked the various Metro LGUs to strictly implement the one-side parking rule in their respective areas to help ease traffic.
According to the MMDA, traffic flow will get heavier on EDSA and other major roads around shopping malls and other business establishments as the Christmas season approaches.
As part of traffic management, operators of malls along EDSA have adjusted their opening hours to 11 a.m. from their usual 10 a.m.
Other traffic mitigation measures implemented include the prohibition of weekday sales and permitting night only deliveries of non-perishable goods.
In addition, the MMDA said road diggings and repairs, with the exception of government flagship and emergency projects, were also suspended starting November 5.
