MMDA starts motorist assistance program for Lenten season

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has activated its assistance program for motorists in preparation for the Holy Week.

Dubbed as Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa (MASS) 2022, the MMDA coordinated with the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO), various local government units, traffic bureaus, and other government agencies to ensure the safe and smooth flow of traffic for the Lenten season.

In a statement, the MMDA said that 2,681 personnel will be deployed on major thoroughfares, major transport hubs, and key areas in the metropolis starting April 8 up to April 18.

“Majority of the traffic personnel will be assigned to roads leading to provincial bus terminals, seaports, airports, and major churches, to ensure the safety of thousands of commuters expected to travel to nearby provinces to take advantage of the long Holy Week break,” MMDA Chairman Romando Arteswas quoted as saying.

The focus of operations will also include entry and exit points in Metro Manila such as North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Coastal Road, McArthur Highway, Mindanao Avenue, and A. Bonifacio.

Aside from that, traffic enforcers will be manning frequently-visited churches like Redemptorist Church (Parañaque), Sto. Domingo (Quezon City), San Agustin (Intramuros), and Quiapo (Manila).

"These contingency measures are aimed to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and meaningful observance of Lent," Artes stressed.

The office also declared “no day-off and no absent policy” for all traffic and other field personnel on days when traffic is expected to be high due to the Holy Week exodus.

Furthermore, the MMDA Roadside Emergency Group will be on standby to provide roadside emergency service and assistance to the general public. Simultaneous sidewalk clearing operations against illegal vendors within the vicinity of major churches will also be conducted.

Moreover, Artes reminded motorists that the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP, also known as number coding scheme) will be suspended in the National Capital Region starting April 14 (Maundy Thursday) until April 15 (Good Friday) — which are both declared as holidays.

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

Also read:

MMDA to conduct no-contact apprehension on Mabuhay Lanes

MMDA Clarifies Number Coding Scheme Up on Major Thoroughfares, Mabuhay Lanes

MMDA field personnel get 'heat stroke break'