Friday, October 31, 2008 Coding stays despite holidays
THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said there will be no suspension of the number coding on October 31 and November 3.
MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said there will be no suspension of the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), which bans both private and public vehicles from using Metro Manila roads and streets on specific days of the week depending on the last digit of vehicle license plates.
The number coding scheme is automatically lifted during holidays and is not in effect during Saturdays and Sundays since few motorists are out on the streets during weekends.
Nacianceno said those coming home from the provinces on Monday on board vehicles bearing license plates ending in 1 and 2 should make use of the UVVRP's window hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, at least 1,200 traffic enforcers, medics, and road emergency personnel of the MMDA will be manning traffic along roads leading to and from the 74 public and private cemeteries in the metropolis this weekend.
MMDA executive director Angelito Vergel de Dios said enough number of personnel will be fielded in specific areas of concern to ensure orderly traffic flow.
"Our rescue and communications teams will also be out there to attend to any other emergency or situation," he added.
Some are also being deployed near provincial bus stations where thousands of commuters are expected to converge beginning tonight.
Earlier, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said he has already ordered his men to strictly enforce traffic law as millions are expected to trek to the provinces and cemeteries to honor their departed loved ones.
Under "Oplan Kaluluwa," the agency has tightened security on cemeteries and its vicinities while ensuring the unobstructed flow of traffic along major thoroughfares especially along the 24-kilometer Epifanio De Los Santos (Edsa) and roads leading to and from cemeteries.
Aside from cemeteries, Fernando said his men are also instructed to keep watch on bus terminals, churches, shopping malls and other critical areas to ensure the safety of the public.
"We have made a month-long preparation to ensure a smooth, traffic-free and peaceful All Saints and All Souls Day," the MMDA chief said.
Road and rescue teams, he added, are on a 24-hour operation from October 31 to November 3 to provide assistance to distressed motorists, commuters, and pedestrians.
"Aside from strictly enforcing traffic rules on the roads, we are also there to ensure that other critical routes especially those leading to cemeteries are always accessible," Fernando said.
In case of emergencies, the agency's mobile equipment like tow-trucks, ambulances and rescue vehicles are available 24-hours a day during the five day Oplan Kaluluwa activity.
To ease congestion, the MMDA chief said parking is prohibited on major thoroughfares while sidewalk vendors are likewise prohibited from selling their wares on sidewalks.
The MMDA has also prohibited public and private cemeteries from using their gates located on national roads as entrances. (AH/Sunnex)
