MMDA boosts EDSA force

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy an additional 150 traffic constables to augment the agency’s “EDSA 500” to ease traffic on the major thoroughfare for the holidays.

According to MMDA spokesperson Alou Dorotan, the deployment was in line with the agency’s “EDSA makeover” program, which is aimed at beautifying one of the busiest highways in the Metro Manila.

Earlier, the agency deployed 500 traffic constables to man traffic on the thoroughfare in anticipation of the buildup in vehicular volume during the holiday season as shoppers flock to malls located on EDSA.

Skills upgrade

Traffic constables are enforcers who have undergone training under the agency to upgrade their skills in traffic management.

They will be given ranks similar to those used by the police and military.

Dorotan explained that the change in name was in line with the agency’s efforts to create a new image for MMDA personnel. “People belittle our enforcers,” she said.

Assistance for motorists

The traffic constables, she added, would be tasked to make vehicular traffic manageable on EDSA by providing assistance and guidance to motorists traveling on the major thoroughfare, particularly in areas near malls, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers and other popular destinations.

Apart from the deployment of more personnel to ease traffic, the MMDA earlier identified a total of 33 additional Christmas or Mabuhay Lanes on top of the 12 lanes it designated last year.

The Christmas Lanes, some of which lead to popular shopping destinations such as Baclaran, Greenhills, Carriedo and Divisioria, refer to a total of 205 kilometers of minor thoroughfares that motorists can use as alternate routes.