MMDA adds 200 traffic enforcers to assist motorists

MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino. Photo courtesy of MMDA’s official Facebook page.

MANILA – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino announced on Friday the deployment of 200 traffic enforcers on the streets of Metro Manila even at night to direct traffic during this rainy season.

Tolentino said that starting Friday (June 27), 200 men will be deployed at night shift apart from the morning and afternoon shifts.

He pointed that floods cannot be avoided but flood control teams are ready to assist affected motorists.

Tolentino said the step would assure the public that traffic enforcers would be on the roads at night.

On Thursday afternoon’s flashfloods that inundated and snarled traffic on Metro streets, Tolentino cited unfinished drainage and major road infrastructure projects.

New areas that experienced heavy flooding on Thursday were near World Trade Center in Pasay, North Avenue in Quezon City, Buendia-San Lorenzo in Makati, the MMDA chief said

According to Tolentino, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has yet to complete 39 drainage projects across the metropolis.

He said these drainage projects are supposed to help prevent floods and further hasten the receding time of floods.

“There are drainages na putol putol, the agency estimated around 39 projects being repaired is equivalent to 75 kilometers drainage,” the MMDA chief explained.

“Instead of the water going to the drainage, they go to the street because drainages have been cut off,” he said.

Apart from the drainage projects, Tolentino cited several infrastructure projects being undertaken still by DPWH that contributed to heavy traffic in the metropolis.

These are the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Elevated Expressway; Citra Skyway 3 Project; and repairs and upgrading of Magallanes Interchange in Makati City; Dario Bridge Regalado Bridge; road improvement along España Boulevard in Manila; reblocking on Baclaran, among others.

”With these projects, the motorist has limited roads to use that cause traffic,” he said in Filipino.

Tolentino said all these unfinished projects could result to flashflood following heavy downpours.