MMDA bracing for monster traffic

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warned motorists of heavy traffic starting tonight until tomorrow morning due to the influx of motorists coming back to Metro Manila after the Holy Week break. 

Bong Nebrija, supervising operations officer of the MMDA, said all 400 traffic enforcers of the MMDA will be deployed, assigned in three shifts. 

Nebrija said groups of enforcers will work from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following day, while the “no day off, no absent policy” would be retained until traffic normalizes. 

“We want to ensure that the traffic will be monitored from tonight until tomorrow morning,” Nebrija said. 

Nebrija said heavy traffic is expected at the North Luzon Expressway, where thousands of buses are expected to pass since the number coding scheme will be lifted tomorrow. 

He added that they would also deploy personnel to apprehend erring bus drivers who will violate the “nose in, nose out” policy at bus terminals on EDSA Ave.

Under the “nose in, nose out” policy, bus drivers must go inside and come out of terminals with their vehicles’ front first, prohibiting them from maneuvering outside the terminals or on the streets. 

Nebrija also urged drivers of public utility vehicles to ensure the safety of their passengers.

For its part, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said thousands would be returning to Metro Manila through roll-on and roll-off (“ro-ro”) routes.

“For those traveling along the short ‘ro-ro’ routes, they would travel back to Manila starting yesterday afternoon until early tomorrow,” said Captain Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman.

He said the short “ro-ro” routes include from Allen, Samar to Sorsogon and from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro to Batangas.

As for the long routes, or ships directly coming from the Visayas and Mindanao, the Coast Guard learned that not all had been fully booked.  

To better monitor the actual situation at the seaports, Balilo said “districts and stations were told to submit periodic reports, photos and videos to headquarters.”

By knowing the actual scenario at the ports, the PCG would be able to immediately address and give directions to their personnel in the field in case a situation arises.

The PCG has been on “alert status” from March 25 until tomorrow because of the Holy Week break.

PCG commandant Rear Admiral Elson Hermogino ordered his task-force commanders to strictly implement maximum security measures and maintain regular monitoring of all ports nationwide.

The PCG had set up Passenger Assistance Center booths at all seaports nationwide that would be manned by the PCG and the PCG Auxiliary to cater to the concerns and needs of passengers. 

Coast Guard medical teams were also placed on standby at the said booths to provide medical assistance.  – With Evelyn Macairan, Ramon Efren Lazaro