MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) called on motorists and the general public visiting their loved ones on All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day to plan, exercise patience and practice discipline amid the expected heavy traffic.
At the Bagong Pilipinas interview on Friday, Swift Traffic Action Group commander Bong Nebrija said the MMDA will roll out full-scale operations.
“Unang-una nga po, kung dadalaw po kayo sa sementeryo, alamin po ahead of time iyong traffic schemes na pinapatupad ng local government unit para alam ninyo rin po kung saan kayo dadaan, ano po iyong mga road closure na iyan at saka saan po kayo magpa-park (First of all, if you are going to visit the cemetery, please find out ahead of time the traffic schemes implemented by the local government unit so that you know where you will be going, what the road closures are and where you will park),” he said.
He also reminded those travelling outside Metro Manila who will be returning on Monday to keep their cool.
“Sana po panatilihin ang lamig ng ulo sa pag-byahe, expect that there will be volume of vehicles na madi-delay po iyong biyahe ninyo, panatilihin po iyong lamig ng ulo, disiplina ang pa-iralin, sumunod po sa panuntunan ng batas ng trapiko. Ito po ay para sa kaligtasan ng lahat sa pagbyahe pagbalik dito sa (Please keep your cool when traveling, expect that there will be a volume of vehicles that will delay your trip, please keep your cool, discipline will be enforced, follow the rules of the traffic law. This is for the safety of everyone when traveling back to) Metro Manila,” he said.
Nebrija said that the MMDA has deployed a total of 2,400 personnel from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 to manage traffic, provide assistance and maintain cleanliness in major roads and cemeteries.
He said the agency is implementing a “no absent, no leave, no day off” policy during the five-day period.
“We have been busy since last week clearing the alternate routes, even the backdoors of bus terminals and even the periphery of cemeteries,” Nebrija said.
He said the MMDA is particularly monitoring five cemeteries in Metro Manila — Manila North and Manila South, Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, and San Juan City Public Cemetery.
Public assistance tents are set up with other government agencies, such as the Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
He said the MMDA is also in close coordination with the North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways, including the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway and Cavite-Laguna Expressway, for traffic management.
On the other hand, Nebrija said the MMDA’s Metro Parkway Clearing Group would be leading the post-“Undas” cleanup operations.
Nebrija said local government units are implementing separate traffic rerouting schemes and parking rules around cemeteries.
“Visitors may park on the streets for short periods, but those who leave vehicles for long hours will be ticketed or towed,” he said.
Nebrija also advised commuters to consider walking or biking to nearby cemeteries to avoid congestion.
“Plan your trip, know where you’re going and keep your cool. Discipline on the road means safety for everyone,” he said. (PNA)
