2,419 MMDA personnel deployed for Undas

MANILA, Philippines —The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will deploy 2,419 MMDA personnel from Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 to manage traffic and provide public assistance during Undas.

The MMDA personnel will be deployed at the Manila North and South cemeteries, Bagbag Public cemetery in Quezon City, Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina and San Juan public cemetery.

“No day off, no absent policy will be implemented for traffic field personnel from Oct. 29 to 30,” Vic Nuñez, director for the MMDA traffic discipline office, said.

To ensure passenger and road safety, there would be drug testing for bus drivers in select transport terminals.

Asean Summit

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes announced that road excavation works would be suspended beginning Nov. 1 until Dec. 23 as the country hosts the 49th Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN)  Nations Summit.

The moratorium covers concrete road re-blocking, pipe laying, road upgrading and other excavation works of government offices, construction firms and utility companies that may cause traffic congestion.

Artes said fun runs, motorcades, processions and similar public events would not be allowed from Oct. 24 to Nov. 20 to avoid disruption of the ASEAN Summit activities. The restrictions will cover Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Makati and Taguig.

Torre back at work

Meanwhile, MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III returned to work on Oct. 16.

Torre took a leave on Sept. 8 after his vehicle was flagged for using the EDSA busway. The vehicle bore a fake license plate and unauthorized government markings.