MMDA to deploy 1,000 traffic men for school opening

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deploy 1,000 traffic enforcers to help manage traffic flow around schools and universities in the Metro when schools open on June 3.

 

MMDs chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency would be closely coordinating with various government agencies, universities, colleges, the Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board on the management of traffic flow around the vicinities of schools.

 

Also in preparation for the school opening, the MMDA is now also busy repainting pedestrian crossings nr schools and repairing broken traffic signal lights.

 

Meanwhile, Tolentino yesterday said he has ordered a reshuffle of the agency's traffic enforcers who are under its Traffic Discipline Office.

 

Tolentino said the reshuffle aims to prevent traffc enforcers from becoming too familiar with their areas which could later lead to corruption. Also to be reshuffled are traffic enforcers with pending cases of extortion and harassment while those with more serious offenses will be relieved.

 

According to Tolentino, the reshuffle at the TDO will take effect before the schools open on June 3.

 

“Kailangang bago magbukas ang klase ay maitalaga na sa kani-kanilang bagong puwesto ang mga traffic enforcers, layunin din ng balasahan ay para mawala yung familiarity kung saan sila naka-assign,” Tolentino said.

 

Tolentino also  assured motorists that officials of the agency will closely monitor the performance of  their reshuffled traffic enforcers.

 

As part of its preparation for the rainy season, the MMDA will also field some 500 members of its Rescue Unit along EDSA starting on Friday. The members of the MMDA rescue unit are expected to render emergency assistance to motorists along EDSA during the heavy traffic rush hour starting this Friday.