MMDA, LGUs to deploy more traffic auxiliaries for Christmas holiday rush

Traffic enforcers of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) monitors vehicles along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy an additional 1,500 traffic personnel to manage the flow of traffic especially “in critical areas” this holiday season.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said Friday he had sought the help of city administrators and local traffic bureau officials in Metro Manila for the deployment of traffic auxiliaries to help ease traffic bottlenecks especially during Christmas rush, when the number of vehicles in the metro increases by as much as 20 percent.

“We need to boost the manpower all over the metropolis. Eighty traffic auxiliaries per city will help manage traffic in critical areas,” said Garcia.

Effective November 16, the MMDA said traffic helpers will focus on national roads, Mabuhay lanes and its adjoining roads, and other traffic-congested roads in Metro Manila.

Garcia then called on the traffic officials to issue citation tickets on illegal parking violators and those obstructing the roads this holiday season. He also asked representatives of local government units to strictly implement the one-side parking policy to alleviate traffic in their localities.

Garcia said they already sought for a moratorium on roadworks, except for government projects and emergency projects, this holiday season, as among the measures to help ease heavy traffic.

Garcia also said shopping mall operators along Edsa have already started adjusting their mall operating hours — opening at 11 a.m. or an hour late from their original 10 a.m. schedule, since November 5. /kga

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