The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced that the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will take over traffic management of Edsa’s Timog Avenue to Ortigas Avenue section.
“This is to share a load of road traffic administration on Edsa, especially during the expected holiday traffic rush,” said MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia.
Garcia said the deployment of HPG personnel led by Col. Manny Tabuena, chief of the PNP HPG-National Capital Region’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, begins on Sept. 9 at 5 a.m.
“Enforcers will not only include HPG personnel, but the MMDA will also be there to help.”
“Starting Monday by 5 a.m., the stretch of Edsa from Timog to Ortigas will be under the supervision of HPG. Pero ito ay hindi lang po HPG, ang MMDA po dito ay taga-tulong (But enforcers here will not only include HPG personnel, but the MMDA will also be there to help),” the MMDA official said.
To complement the HPG, the MMDA will provide 100 enforcers who will be supervised by the HPG.
He said the move will also allow Edsa Special Traffic and Transport Zone head Bong Nebrija to focus on the other portions of the major Metro Manila artery.
“Yung under ng kay Nebrija from Timog (Ave.) going to SM North Edsa and then Ortigas (Ave.) going to Makati — Magallanes, hanggang Roxas Boulevard (What’s under Nebrija will be from Timog Ave. going to SM North Edsa and then Ortigas Ave. going to Makati City – Magallanes to Roxas Boulevard),” Garcia said.
“HPG has been tapped to help in the traffic enforcement because of the police unit’s authority and capabilities.”
Garcia said the HPG has been tapped to help in the traffic enforcement because of the police unit’s authority and capabilities.
Garcia cited several incidents, where MMDA personnel could have used more help – previously, an MMDA enforcer was stabbed following an attempt to stop a fleeing robber, an enforcer was punched, and another was hit by a vehicle during the discharge of their duties.
The HPG is equipped with guns for defense during dire situations, motorcycles, and has higher authority as police personnel.
Meanwhile, Tabuena said their personnel will man their portion of Edsa from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., and from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
“Kung 9 p.m. matatapos ang shift ng MMDA, kami ay hanggang 1 a.m. (If MMDA enforcers end their shifts at 9 p.m., we end ours at 1 a.m.),” he said.
Just like the MMDA’s personnel, Tabuena said they have also been deputized to issue traffic violation tickets to erring motorists and are also allowed to tow illegally parked vehicles.
He added that towed vehicles will be brought to the MMDA impounding areas.
Garcia said he hopes that drivers and pedestrians will become disciplined with the HPG’s assistance in Edsa.