MMDA traffic enforcers. RAFFY LERMA / INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said it will be activating its “Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa 2022” (Oplan MASS) on April 8 in anticipation of an increase in the number of motorists and travelers who will be going to the provinces for Holy Week.
In a statement, the MMDA said that from April 8 to April 18, a total of 2,681 personnel would be deployed on the main thoroughfares, major transportation hubs, and critical areas throughout Metro Manila to guarantee a safe and smooth traffic flow during the Lenten season.
“Majority of the traffic personnel will be assigned to roads leading to provincial bus terminals, seaports, airports, and major churches, to ensure the safety of thousands of commuters expected to travel to nearby provinces to take advantage of the long Holy Week break,” said MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.
“These contingency measures are aimed to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and meaningful observance of Lent,” he added.
Artes also announced that the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme will be suspended in the National Capital Region from Maundy Thursday, April 14 to Good Friday, April 15.
According to MMDA, the focus of the program’s operations will be from the entry and exit points to and from Metro Manila, such as the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Coastal Road, McArthur Highway, Mindanao Avenue, and A. Bonifacio.
Traffic enforcers will be deployed to commonly visited churches such as the Redemptorist Church in Parañaque City, Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City, San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila and the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.
Simultaneous sidewalk clearance operations against illegal vendors will also be carried out in the area of frequently-visited churches, according to MMDA.
Meanwhile, the MMDA also reported that it had issued a “no day-off and no absent policy” for all its traffic and other field staff since traffic is likely to be heavy due to the Holy Week exodus.
The MMDA Roadside Emergency Group will be on standby to provide roadside emergency service and assistance to the public during the said period. – Jericho Zafra, INQUIRER.net intern