The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy more traffic enforcers along major roads near schools to ease the flow of traffic as millions of students troop back to schools starting Monday.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency’s traffic enforcers would be on duty as early as 5:30 a.m. starting Monday until the next two weeks for the staggered opening of classes on June 6, 13 and 15 among different schools.
Tolentino identified the University Belt in Manila and Katipunan Road and Cubao in Quezon City as major “choke points” where frequent stopovers to drop and fetch students are expected.
“What we ask is for students, parents, commuters and school services to not prolong their stay on the roads. We understand that some parents and “taga-hatid” have the first-day excitement and jitters for their kids, but hopefully they won’t contribute to traffic,” said Tolentino in his weekly radio program with dzBB.
“If you’re not sending your kids to schools, avoid the school zones for a week. Parents should send their children to school early and bus operators should check their number coding,” advised Tolentino.
He also warned that vehicles in school zones identified as sidewalk obstructions along eight national roads would be towed and impounded by MMDA tow trucks or by 14 towing companies accredited by MMDA.
He warned motorists that some unauthorized tow service trucks—popularly described as colorum—might take advantage of the situation for undue profit.
Motorists are required to pay P1,200 for the tow service cost for the first four kilometers and P200 for every succeeding kilometer going to the impounding area.
The MMDA chief reminded motorists that only MMDA traffic enforcers with their blue tow trucks and their accredited counterparts are allowed to issue the order. The MMDA accreditation number and plate number shall be permanently painted on both sides, front and back bumpers of the tow truck, while an authenticated copy of the valid accreditation certificates issued by the MMDA shall be kept in the towing vehicles and must be presented whenever required.
“We have received reports before that some tow service trucks would even have their own impound areas. If there are no official MMDA tickets issued, chances are the tow truck must be colorum,” he said.
As this developed, the Makati City government and the Department of Education-Makati have assured the city’s public school students from preschool to college that they are ready for Monday’s opening of classes.
The city government has allotted a total of P399.8 million for the educational materials, supplies and uniforms to be distributed for free to Makati public students this school year. Of this, P199.8 million has been allocated for textbooks and instructional materials and devices; P64.5 million for various school supplies; P130 million for school uniforms and T-shirts; and P5.5 million for school bags.
“Besides making sure that schoolbuildings and facilities are safe and clean, we have also seen to it that we have enough classrooms and chairs, teachers, textbooks and other school supplies to meet the needs of schoolchildren in the city,” said Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay.
Meanwhile, DepEd Makati Superintendent Elena Ruiz said enrollment figures might increase this school year in the light of DepEd’s policy of non-discrimination in accepting students, including nonresidents and transferees from private schools.
Last year’s enrolment reached 84,317 students from 65 preschools, 28 elementary schools, 11 high schools and one city college.
Ruiz said the city government had ensured that Makati public schools have adequate school facilities with the construction of new school buildings each year. It has also hired contractual teachers to cover the expected increase in the number of students.