MMDA beefs up workforce for holiday season
MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Thursday it would temporarily postpone the retraining of its personnel as part of its preparation for the holiday season.
In an interview on Inquirer Radio 990AM, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the postponement of the retraining was made effective Thursday. It will resume next year.
“Ibabalik po muna sila sa kalye (they would be deployed in the streets) for the duration of the Christmas season,” he said.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO
The MMDA earlier announced that its traffic enforcers would undergo retraining on personality development, good grooming, and communication skills, which will help them improve their skills in traffic management and physical well-being.
Tolentino also reiterated his announcement on measures that would be imposed starting this month to reduce the expected traffic congestion this holiday season.
Starting December 13, Tolentino said a moratorium would be implemented on all excavations or diggings in all national and city roads until midnight of January 6, 2014.
Starting on December 16, on the other hand, fun runs, walkathons, marathons, bike race, and other similar events will be banned until January 6, 2014.
Christmas lanes would also be opened for motorists, but the MMDA has yet to make announcements regarding the matter.
“These traffic measures are designed to facilitate the free flow of motorists and Christmas shoppers before the start of Simbang Gabi on December 16,” the MMDA chief said.
He added the MMDA is expecting a 20 percent increase in the traffic volume this Christmas season due to the influx of people and vehicles from Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Central Luzon.
Related stories
MMDA to ban road diggings, fun runs to ease holiday season traffic
MMDA sends humanitarian contingent to Tacloban
