MMDA, local gov’ts prepare for ‘Undas’

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has urged the public to use alternative routes starting next week to get around Metro Manila, especially in areas near cemeteries.

In a statement, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said Monday that during a meeting, he was informed of traffic plans set up by local government units in their areas for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

Monday’s meeting was also attended by administrators of private cemeteries and police and fire officials.

At the same time, Tolentino assured representatives of government agencies that the MMDA would deploy its enforcers to direct traffic in areas near cemeteries in Metro Manila.

“Our enforcers shall strictly monitor and manage traffic, particularly at identified choke points such as Balintawak, Dangwa, bus terminals and roads leading to the South Luzon Expressway,” he said.

MMDA assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos, meanwhile, suggested that motorists headed for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) avoid Edsa.

“The public may use C-5, Katipunan, Tandang Sora, Congressional Avenue and Mindanao Avenue leading to NLEX as heavy traffic is expected on Edsa,” Carlos said.

Motorists headed for the South Luzon Expressway may use A. Bonifacio, C-3 Araneta, Magsaysay Boulevard, Nagtahan, President Quirino Avenue and South Superhighway.

In Manila, at least seven major thoroughfares will be closed to traffic on November 1 and 2.

Manila Police District Traffic Enforcement Unit head Superintendent Reynaldo Nava said that starting at 6 a.m. of October 31 until November 1, the roads near North, La Loma and the Chinese cemeteries would be closed to vehicular traffic.

These include Aurora Boulevard from Dimasalang Street to Rizal Avenue; the stretch of Blumentritt Street from A. Bonifacio Avenue to P. Guevarra Street; a portion of Dimasalang Street from Makiling to Blumentritt Streets; Retiro Avenue from Dimasalang Street to Blumentritt Extension; P. Guevarra Street from Cavite to Pampanga Streets; L. Rivera Street from Cavite Street to Aurora Boulevard; and Maceda Street from Makiling to Dimasalang Streets.

Other routes leading to the three Manila cemeteries will remain open to traffic, including Rizal Avenue, Jose Abad Santos Street, Tayuman Street, as well as portions of Dimasalang and Makiling Streets.