MMDA announces Holy Week traffic plans

“Oplan Semana Santa”, he said, will be activated beginning April 16 — with the MMDA to enforce a “no day-off, no absent” policy for field traffic personnel. (Photo: MMDA/Facebook)

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday announced its traffic plans for the upcoming “Semana Santa” or Holy Week to ensure the safety and convenience of both motorists and commuters.

In a press conference at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City, MMDA Chair Romando Artes said there will be a “full deployment” of 2,542 field personnel and 468 assets in major roads and transport hubs in the National Capital Region.

“Oplan Semana Santa”, he said, will be activated beginning April 16 — with the MMDA to enforce a “no day-off, no absent” policy for field traffic personnel.

“Our MMDA Communications and Command Center will remain operational 24/7 — there is a team tasked to monitor real-time updates through closed-circuit television cameras on different critical areas across Metro Manila and other activities and situations on the ground,” Artes said.

“Skeletal deployment will be enforced on April 18, 19, and 20 to focus on the usual Visita Iglesia sites including the ‘panata’ route going to Antipolo and Grotto.”

The MMDA Road Emergency Group will also be on standby to provide basic roadside emergency services while ambulances and tow trucks will also be deployed in strategic locations.

On the other hand, Inter-agency support desks will be placed near transport terminals to assist travelers.

Road emergency personnel will also be on standby to provide medical assistance and first aid.

The MMDA will also conduct cleaning and road clearing operations in various NCR roads to ensure unimpeded vehicular and pedestrian movement.

Meanwhile, Artes said provincial buses will be temporarily allowed on EDSA on April 9 and from April 16 to 20 for the expected influx of travelers during the Holy Week.

He said buses are allowed on EDSA from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on April 9, and will be allowed 24 hours on the major thoroughfare from April 16 – 20.

“Provincial buses coming from North Luzon shall end their trips at the bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City, while provincial buses from South Luzon shall stop their trips at the bus terminals in Pasay City,” he said.

For motorists, he said the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme will be suspended on April 17 and 18 — Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

He also announced road reblocking and repair works will be undertaken in various areas in NCR from 11 p.m. on April 16 until 5 a.m. on April 21.

“The affected roads will be fully passable by 5 a.m. on Monday, April 21. Announcement as to the areas will be made thru the MMDA official social media accounts,” he said.

He called on the public to reach out to the MMDA for traffic updates, road assistance, and other inquiries through its Metrobase Hotline 136.

No more vlogging during MMDA ops

Meanwhile, he announced the prohibition of vlogging, recording, posting, and other forms of documentation of MMDA operations by its employees during official work hours and by private vloggers as well.

The prohibition is in response to an incident involving MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force Head Gabriel Go who was slapped with a criminal case after he shamed a Quezon City police officer while vlogging during a clearing operation.