MANILA, Phillipines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday prompted candidates to keep in mind and follow existing traffic rules, including the number coding scheme, when they stage motorcades and campaign rallies.
MMDA Edsa Traffic Head Bong Nebrija said candidates who violate the rules would be apprehended despite the prevailing campaign period, which started March 29.
“‘Pag nasa major thoroughfares po sila, bawal po ‘yun. Biruin niyo po ‘yun, halimbawa number coding po ‘yung sinasakyan ni mayor, sinasakyan ni congressman, biglang makita ng enforcer huhulihin, ‘di ba nakakahiya naman po ‘yun, lalo na kung may media,” Nebrija said in an interview over Radyo INQUIRER.
“Sabi ko nga, hindi na kami manghuhuli n’yan eh, ang manghuhuli dyan ay ‘yung kalaban na eh, ipo-post na lang sa social media, ‘Itong si tumatakbong mayor, ginagamit sa kampanya, number coding, nakakaperwisyo ng trapik’,” he added.
He further reminded riders of motorcycles in motorcades to wear helmets as mandated by law.
“Pati ‘yung mga nagmo-motor na kasama nila, kailangan mag-helmet eh. Dapat mag-helmet, lagyan na lang nila ng sticker ‘yung helmet, kung anong pangalan ng kandidato,” Nebrija said.
The Edsa traffic head also called on candidates to coordinate with MMDA whenever they are planning to hold motorcades.
“Wala naman po kaming mandato na pigilan sila sa mga ginagawa nila, lalung-lalo na po na apolitical ang MMDA, baka mapulaan pa po kami na namemersonal kami dyan,” Nebrija said.
“Kung magsasarado sila ng kalsada, abisuhan kami, o kaya kung magmo-motorcade sila sa main thoroughfares, sabihan din kami para sa ganun malalaman namin para hindi naman sila magkasalubong-salubong,” he added. /kga