MMDA urges organizers of Marcos Jr.-Sara caravan to follow rules

Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor (first from right), who is running for Quezon City mayor, accompanies presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos (first from left) and his running mate Sara Duterte during the tandem’s caravan in Quezon City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Don Artes on Saturday urged organizers of the Marcos-Duterte caravan to follow the guidelines and to commit to self-regulation in launching activities.

This development came after supporters of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, running for president and vice president, respectively, will hold another caravan on December 12 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“‘Yun lang po ine-emphasize namin sa organizers na unang-una sundin po natin ‘yung ating mga restrictions or guidelines na napagkasunduan. Unang-una, walang programa sa kalsada, wala pong unnecessary stoppage po dapat, at i-maintain ‘yung designated lane,” Artes said in a press conference.

(What we are emphasizing to organizers is to comply with our restrictions or guidelines agreed upon. First, no programs on the roads, no unnecessary stoppage, and drive along the designated lanes.)

“Ito po ay hindi naman namin kayang ipatupad sa lahat dahil limited din naman po ‘yung number ng tao ng MMDA, kapulisan, at ng mga LGUs (local government units). So talagang magre-rely tayo doon sa self-regulation and self-policing na inyong nabanggit at ito naman po, bilang kayo ang organizer. Ang accountability po ng kung anong magiging resulta nitong partikular na activity na ito ay nasa inyo,” he added.

(We cannot implement all these because we have a limited number of personnel in the MMDA, police, and LGUs. So, we rely on self-regulation and self-policing that you mentioned. The accountability of the activity’s result is on you.)

Operations/ground commander of BBM-Sara 2.0 Mega Christmas Caravan General Romeo Poquiz said that they have learned their lesson when their caravan in Quezon City contributed to traffic.

“Very clear naman po ‘yung permit na binigay sa ‘min ng MMDA. We’re very confident na masusunod ‘yung mga ‘yun dahil unang-una, we learned our lessons from ‘yung nangyari diyan sa Quezon City, napanood natin ‘yun, nagkabuhol-buhol ‘yung traffic, maraming na-perwisyo,” Poquiz said.

(MMDA’s permit is clear. We’re confident that we can comply because we learned our lessons from what happened in Quezon City wherein it contributed to the traffic, many suffered.)

The caravan will have two groups. One will start from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and the other group will kick off in Kalaw Avenue. The groups will converge in the Quezon Memorial Circle.

According to Artes, their issued permit is for the major thoroughfares under MMDA’s jurisdiction. Other roads that are under the LGUs shall be coordinated with the concerned LGU.

Poquiz, meanwhile, shared that currently, they have only received a permit from the Pasay City government.

RELATED STORIES:

QC gov’t sad over Bongbong-Sara motorcade organizer’s refusal to coordinate 

Bongbong Marcos supporters stage ‘unity caravan’ in Bacolod City 

JPV