The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday for “authority to regulate the use of major thoroughfares in Metro Manila for political motorcades, caravans and other similar election activities.”
The written request by MMDA chair Francis Tolentino addressed to Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes followed a meeting on Wednesday between the two agencies regarding the traffic congestion caused by political gatherings since the local campaign period for the May elections started last weekend.
In the letter dated April 4, Tolentino noted that “several election campaigns, caravans, rallies and other similar election-related activities are being carried out in the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila, which greatly affect the already congested flow of traffic.”
He said there was a need to regulate motorcades and caravans especially on major roads like Edsa, C-5, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway, Commonwealth Avenue, España Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue.
The official also mentioned Shaw Boulevard, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Andrews Avenue, South Super Highway, Taft Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, Araneta Avenue, AH Lacson Street, Rizal Avenue and A. Bonifacio Avenue.
“Our proposal is not intended to prohibit any election campaign activity but merely to regulate the use of major roads,” Tolentino said, adding that traffic obstructions have “serious adverse effects on the economy as a whole.”
An Inquirer story on Wednesday reported the complaints posted on the MMDA Facebook page by motorists who were caught in traffic jams caused by recent election-related rallies.