HPG to Man Parts of EDSA

Starting next week, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will help cut down the traffic along some parts of EDSA.

The leadership of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced the takeover of PNP-HPG on some parts of EDSA starting Monday, September 9, at 5 AM.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said that the HPG, led by HPG-NCR Traffic Enforcement Unit Chief Col. Emmanuel Tabuena, will manage traffic from Timog Avenue to Ortigas Avenue. They will still be assisted by 100 MMDA personnel.

On the other hand, the agency's enforcers will man the traffic at EDSA from Balintawak to Timog and from Ortigas to Pasay.

Garcia also said that the HPG take over was done to take advantage of their authority. Under the law, they are mandated to contribute to crime prevention in addition to traffic enforcement.

"The HPG is a big help in instilling discipline to the motorists," Garcia said in a press conference.

He also cited that unlike HPG, the MMDA has no defense when its traffic enforcers are being mauled or hurt by hard-headed motorists.

Tabuena, for his part, said that they are 100-percent supportive of the need to discipline drivers who are "one of the factors of traffic problem along EDSA especially during rush hours."

The HPG will man the traffic from 5 AM to 1 AM, to add to the visibility of authorities on the road. They are also deputized to apprehend and issue citation tickets against erring motorists.

"We want to show that the government is full force to ease the burden of the riding public," Garcia said.