MMDA wants discipline among drivers back; names Nebrija as Edsa traffic czar

GRIDLOCK Motorists cool their heels in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Edsa. —INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday vowed to bring back discipline among motorists.

This as MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia installed the agency’s Task Force for Special Operations chief Bong Nebrija as new head of Edsa traffic management beginning Monday.

Nebrija replaced Chief Traffic Insp. Rodolfo Calpito, who has just retired from service. Traffic officials Memel Roxas and Jun Vialu would take the place of Nebrija in the MMDA’s Task Force for Special Operations as team leaders.

“We will start with the bus loading and unloading zones,” Nebrija said in a press briefing.

“We will make sure that we will be implementing a serious enforcement on closed door policy, no loading and unloading zone. Iyong bus segregation system natin – ‘yung Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie, and ‘yung yellow lane,” he added.

Nebrija also said he would address the problem with ambulant vendors putting up spots on footbridges. He said he would seek the help of the MMDA sidewalk clearing operations group regarding this matter.

Meanwhile, Garcia expressed confidence that the “good, dedicated, and strong” Nebrija would be able to help solve traffic congestion along Edsa.

“I am giving him full authority kung anong tingin niyang engineering problem diyan – U-turn, orange barrier, unloading and loading zone – it’s up to him,” Garcia said in the press briefing.

“May tiwala kami. We have full trust kay Bong Nebrija to handle Edsa,” he added.

To recall, Nebrija as chief of Task Force for Special Operations has vigorously pursued erring motorists who illegally park as well as removed structures obstructing metro roads.

“Of course malaking bawas sa atin yang pagkawala ni Bong sa Task Force, but I know he trained his people very well so tuloy-tuloy lang ‘yan,” Garcia said. /kga