Manila Times/Manila

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a “No Day-Off, No Absent” policy for more than 1,000 traffic enforcers, to ensure a traffic congestion free observance of the Lenten season.
In an interview, Neomie Recio, MMDA traffic engineering centre head, said MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino ordered the deployment of more than 1,000 traffic enforcers starting on Holy Tuesday (April 15) in Edsa and other major thoroughfares and roads leading to and from bus terminals, sea ports, and the domestic airport during the Holy Week.
“This is to ensure the safety of thousands of commuters who are beginning to troop to their respective provinces to observe the Holy Week and take advantage of the long holiday,” she added.
She said the agency expects a surge in motorists and commuters going to areas where there will be religious activities.
Traffic congestion, she added, may start on Holy Wednesday when motorists start leaving Metro Manila.
Apart from provinces, the agency expects a surge in motorists and commuters going to Antipolo and the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto shrine in San Juan, and several areas where processions are to take place, like Quiapo in Manila City.
Likewise, command post and public assistance centres will also be set up at the entry points of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from Holy Monday up to Easter Sunday to assist motorists and the public. Recio said motorists and the general public can also call the agency’s Metrobase hotline 136 for periodic traffic updates, adding that Internet users can search for traffic updates through the MMDA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts which will be open even during the Holy Week.
She added that they have activated Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa 2014 (Mass), to co-ordinate the entire traffic management plan with other government agencies such as the Departments of Transportation and Communications, Public Works and Highways, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
During the Holy Week, the DPWH will undertake road repairs along Edsa from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to Monumento in Caloocan City, round-the-clock.
Recio expressed concern that traffic congestion may happen on Holy Wednesday when public start leaving Metro Manila.
To avoid traffic headache, she also advised public utility bus drivers and motorists to take alternative routes.
South-bound buses may take P. Tuazon Boulevard, then take C5 Road to South Luzon Expressway.
North-bound buses from Cubao may take New York Avenue, right at Harvard, left at Aurora Boulevard, right at 20th Avenue, left at Bonny Serrano Avenue, left at Katipunan to destination.
According to MMDA, the DPWH will undertake repair and reblocking operations on Edsa’s southbound lane from Holy Tuesday (April 15) until Good Friday (April 18).
The reblocking will take place in 11 areas in Makati, 13 in Mandaluyong, and 23 in Quezon City, along Edsa-southbound lane.
The MMDA said road repairs along the northbound lane will start from April 18 until April 21.
Along Edsa- northbound lane, road works will be conducted in 13 areas in Makati, 18 in Mandaluyong, 16 in Quezon City.
Rey Tagudando, DPWH-NCR director, said covered by the massive repair is at least 21,000 square metres of Edsa.
Tagudando also said eight contractors will be involved in the mega road work project, to be conducted round-the- clock.
The MMDA said that apart from road works, water utility companies will simultaneously conduct repairs on various points along Edsa.
The MMDA warned of a traffic gridlock along Edsa as the DPWH will finish its road works and reblocking during the Holy Week.