By Aerol John Pateña (PNA)
MANILA — A total of 1,500 traffic auxiliaries will be deployed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila starting Nov. 16 to support traffic enforcers in managing the expected congestion during the holiday season.
They will be fielded along national roads, Mabuhay lanes, and other traffic-prone areas across the metropolis.
“We need to boost the manpower all over the metropolis. Eighty traffic auxiliaries per city will help manage traffic in critical areas,” said MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia in a statement on Friday.
The MMDA has asked the assistance of city administrators and local traffic bureau officials in Metro Manila for the deployment of traffic auxiliaries, as it expects the number of vehicles traversing along major roads to increase by as much as 20 percent during holiday rush.
Representatives from the local governments of Mandaluyong, Makati, Pateros, Pasay, Marikina, Navotas, Malabon, San Juan, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Pasig, and Las Pinas attended the meeting held at the MMDA headquarters on Thursday.
Garcia warned that traffic officials would issue citation tickets to illegal parking violators and those obstructing the roads.
The MMDA has likewise asked the LGUs to strictly implement the one-side parking to ease traffic in their localities.
The agency said traffic will get heavier on EDSA and roads near shopping malls and other business establishments as the Christmas season approaches.
Mall operators along EDSA have adjusted their opening hours at 11 a.m., an hour late from their original 10 a.m. schedule since November 15.
Other traffic mitigation measures implemented include the prohibition of weekday sale and limitation of delivery for non-perishable goods at night-time.
The moratorium on road diggings and repairs has been also undertaken starting Nov. 5, with the exception of government flagship and emergency projects.
