FOR six days beginning April 1, car owners can use their cars sans worrying about their plate number ending, as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) would lift its Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP).
The lifting of the UVVRP, commonly known as “number-coding,” will be lifted by Holy Wednesday until April 6, the Monday after Easter.
Nonetheless, MMDA officials promised to ensure a smooth traffic flow during the observance of the Holy Week, which formally begins on March 29, or Palm Sunday.
Crisanto Saruca, MMDA traffic discipline office head, said they would ensure smooth traffic flow as the agency launched on Friday its campaign called Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa (Oplan Mass). The support campaign, however, would end on April 6, the day the number coding would be lifted.
Saruca said the MMDA launched the campaign, as they expect a heavy inflow and outflow of people to and from the metropolis. He explained the campaign will focus on the following entry and exit points to and from Metro Manila: the Northern Luzon Expressway, Southern Luzon Expressway, Coastal Road, McArthur Highway, Marcos Higway, Mindanao Avenue and A. Bonifacio Avenue.
Saruca added that about 2,300 MMDA employees would be assigned to these exit and entry points beginning on Monday. This contingent would be composed of 1,627 traffic constables, 120 mobile patrol units, 130 motorcycle units, 40 members of road-emergency groups, 200 personnel assigned to parkway-clearing groups and 300 for sidewalk-clearing operations.
Saruca said they would also hire additional people on a temporary basis to help man the traffic, especially along major thoroughfares, such as Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa), and roadways leading to and from transportation hubs, such as provincial bus terminals, airports and seaports. He added that the MMDA would also deploy enforcers on areas near churches, where devotees make their Holy Week pilgrimages.
There are about 1,823 major and minor churches in Metro Manila, according to MMDA data.
Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency will also inspect bus terminals in Edsa Cubao, Pasay City, Caloocan City and along the Coastal Road.
Tolentino added that they would require bus drivers to undergo breath-analyzer tests before they are allowed to travel. “We want to ensure that drivers of buses are not under the influence of alcohol before driving on the road.
Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco