MMDA urges public to prepare for heavy traffic on Friday, Dec. 21

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

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists should bring not only presents for their Christmas parties on Friday night but also a lot of patience as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said on Thursday that a “carmaggedon” is expected around the metro.

Despite this warning, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said that traffic enforcers of the agency are on “full alert” to assist the traffic situation.

“Yes, tama po yun dahil last Friday na po ito nung holiday season, definitely nasa labas na po lahat ng tao diyan — yung mga huling hirit ng shopping, Christmas parties, etc,” Garcia said in an interview with dzMM when asked if the public should brace for a “carmaggedon” on Friday.

“Naka full alert tayo lalo na ang ating mga enforcers,” he said, adding that he would meet the enforcers within the day to remind on their tasks for the holiday rush.

According to MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago, the expected traffic speed along the stretch of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) on Friday would only be at 12 kilometers per hour (kph)

She said that the speed of vehicles travelling across the metropolis has continued to go down since the last week of November.

Pialago said that on Nov. 22, the traffic speed was still at 16 kph. However, by December 13, it already went down to 14 kph.

With this, Garcia reminded motorists to follow traffic rules despite being stuck in traffic.

“Makakarating naman tayo diyan, mabagal lang, pero huwag tayong makipag unanahan kasi lalo lang tayong tatagal,” Garcia said.

“Iyon ang lagi naming sinasabi na disiplina talaga,” he added. /je