MMDA to be lenient with minor traffic violators during holidays
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) may forgive motorists who commit "minor violations" this holiday season. According to its chief, they are focused on managing the heavy traffic on highways in Metro Manila that is expected during this time.
During a briefing, MMDA chairman Romando Artes underscored that road enforcers have different priorities as the holidays approach.
"Our traffic enforcers will prioritize traffic management, and as usual they can let go of minor offenses," Artes said.
Motorists committing "minor offenses" such as swerving will no longer be issued citation tickets by traffic enforcers.
However, Artes clarified that the MMDA will still evaluate each situation individually to decide which minor traffic violations can be overlooked.
Starting Nov. 18, the deployment of road authorities will also be extended until midnight instead of the usual 10 p.m. end of duty.
This coincides with the adjustment of shopping malls' operating hours, a limited schedule of deliveries for shopping malls, and a temporary ban on road diggings.
Artes assured that the MMDA is also preparing for the celebration of All Saints Day or Undas through the agency’s "Oplan Undas 2024" plan.
About 1,257 personnel from MMDA’s various units will be stationed at bus terminals, cemeteries, and major roads in Metro Manila. They will perform emergency response, cleanup, road clearing, and monitoring efforts to lessen unwanted incidents.
In line with the busy period, the agency's traffic enforcers are prohibited from filing absence and taking a day off.
Metro Manila was among the 387 metro areas with the worst traffic congestion in the world in 2023. This was according to TomTom, a multinational traffic data provider and location technology specialist, which defined a metro area as "a circle covering the city and rural areas in close proximity."
The 2023 TomTom Traffic Index revealed that local motorists in Manila spent an average travel time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds per 10 kilometers last year. This is 50 seconds longer than it took to cover the same distance in 2022. (with reports from Ghio Ong)