Traffic smooth despite MMDA holiday

Proving themselves to be law abiding citizens, most motorists and pedestrians opted not to violate traffic rules and regulations during the Metro Manila Development Authority’s so-called "Huli Holiday."

MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said the public was given a gift that was well received and a test that they passed.

"I think 99 percent of the time, people follow the rules. Only about one percent are stubborn. I think that’s one thing that we should be happy about," he told a press briefing.

Fernando declared a traffic ticket holiday to mark the MMDA’s 31st founding anniversary.

"Contrary to what we commonly believe about others, there are still more do-gooders than the bad," he said.

As announced, MMDA traffic enforcers ignored the violations and did not issue citation tickets for the whole day.

Despite that, according to MMDA executive director Angelito Vergel de Dios, traffic in Metro Manila’s roads and streets, including EDSA, was fairly manageable.

Though there were violators, he said drivers and pedestrians did not deliberately violate traffic rules, which otherwise could have created tied up vehicles in knots.

Most of the violations were obstructing traffic flow, loading and unloading passengers in prohibited areas, and other minor offenses.

Fernando, meanwhile, celebrated with other MMDA officials and employees and had a reunion with former officials of the agency, including former first lady and former Metro Manila governor Imelda Marcos.

Marcos headed the Metro Manila Commission, the forerunner of the MMDA.

She congratulated Fernando, saying he is doing a good job. "When you are a leader, everything is a priority including garbage, everyone is a priority including your enemies."

Former MMDA chairmen Joey Lina, Ismael Mathay, Prospero Oreta, Elfren Cruz and Benjamin Abalos also paid Fernando a visit.