MMDA chair Artes reassigns Nebrija, 2 others to new posts 

Newly appointed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes has reassigned traffic officials Edison Nebrija, Jeffrey Torres and D’Arthony John Maquinto to new positions.

In a statement, the three has been reshuffled “in preparation for the additional vehicular volume as Metro Manila, now under Alert Level 1, enters the new normal.”

Nebrija was chosen to head the New Task Force Special Operations (TFSO) and Anti-Colorum Unit, while Torres will take the position vacated by the former and manage the EDSA Special Traffic and Transport Zone.

Meanwhile, Maquinto will be leading the Northern Traffic Enforcement District.

Artes expressed confidence in Nebrija's capabilities who headed TFSO during the late MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim’s stint. “We trust the capability of Nebrija to enforce traffic rules and regulations beyond the stretch of EDSA, and clear Mabuhay Lanes and other major thoroughfares of traffic obstructions,” Artes.

As TSFO chief, Nebrija’s jurisdiction covers all roads that are under the agency’s scope — EDSA included.

For his part, Nebrija, the TFSO will focus on providing alternative routes to motorists. “We will intensify our clearing operations so that motorists would have alternate routes aside from EDSA. We are thankful that the management is supportive of our programs to ease traffic in Metro Manila,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Artes' marching orders for Torres is to speed up traffic flow on EDSA by focusing on traffic management — making apprehension of traffic violators only secondary.

On the other hand, Torres vowed to continue Nebrija’s efforts to manage traffic on EDSA and assured constant visibility of traffic enforcers along the highway, especially during rush hours.

“We will maximize the visibility of the traffic enforcers assigned to EDSA,” Torres said, noting that there are 500 traffic enforcers deployed along the busiest thoroughfare in the country. 

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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