MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is implementing a "no day off, no holiday" policy for its traffic enforcers this Friday and Saturday, as the agency braces for the anticipated increase in vehicular volume in Metro Manila on the Christmas weekend.
The MMDA will likewise deploy personnel on graveyard shift until Christmas Day to manage the traffic flow in major thoroughfares across the metropolis, according to MMDA supervising officer for operations Bong Nebrija.
The MMDA projects an increase of 10 percent in the volume of vehicles due to last-minute Christmas shopping.
“Talagang ina-anticipate natin ‘yang matinding traffic. Ito na ang huling Linggo bago ang Pasko sa Lunes. Itong taon na ‘to, nakakabigla talaga ang volume ng mga sasakyang pumupunta sa Metro Manila (We really anticipate the heavy traffic, as this is the last week before Christmas Day, which falls on Monday. For this year, we are surprised by the high vehicle volume going to Metro Manila),” Nebrija said in a radio interview Friday.
"There has been a 10 percent increase in vehicle volume. This will further increase 5 to 10 percent for today’s rush hour because of Christmas shopping. Shoppers will still do last-minute shopping by Saturday before they go to their provinces. Heavy traffic is expected until December 24 and 25. We are also expecting the influx on the 26th because of passengers going back to Metro Manila,” he added.
The MMDA has also deployed enforcers in bus terminals along EDSA to monitor the compliance of buses with the "nose in, nose out" policy.
It has also suspended the number coding scheme for provincial buses on December 22 and 26 to provide additional buses for passengers going to the provinces.
MMDA Assistant General Manager for Planning Jojo Garcia earlier said an additional 60,000 vehicles are expected to pass EDSA with additional 20 percent from nearby provinces for the holiday season.
Shoppers from the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan traditionally troop to Metro Manila for their Christmas shopping.
The MMDA official advised shoppers and motorists to plan their travels ahead to avoid the heavy traffic. They may likewise use the Mabuhay Lanes as alternate routes to reach their destinations. (PNA)
