MMDA eyes traffic flow adjustment along Marcos Highway

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) met with traffic officials from Cainta, Antipolo, Marikina, and Pasig on Tuesday to craft measures aimed at preventing a repeat of the traffic gridlock along Marcos Highway over the weekend.

MMDA General Manager Usec. Procopio Lipana, MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Asec. David Angelo Vargas, and Atty. Vic Nuñez, Director for Enforcement of the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office, led the coordination meeting held at the MMDA head office in Pasig City.

Lipana said the MMDA has laid out plans to ease congestion along Marcos Highway following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to implement coordinated traffic management strategies.

Atty. Nuñez emphasized the need to harmonize traffic rules among all local government units (LGUs) along the highway, particularly the uniform enforcement of truck bans.

“Traffic management plans of neighboring LGUs along Marcos Highway must be well coordinated. We are eyeing the harmonization of a uniform truck ban along the entire stretch of Marcos Highway,” Nuñez said.

He added that the MMDA plans to open the intersection of Marcos Highway and Gil Fernando Avenue by replacing concrete barriers with movable orange barriers, allowing easier adjustments during heavy traffic.

“What is in place at the area are concrete barriers; they will be replaced with movable orange barriers. In case there is a repeat of Saturday’s traffic situation, it can be adjusted manually,” Nuñez said.

The MMDA official also said the four concerned LGUs agreed to sign a memorandum of agreement with the MMDA to strictly enforce the ban on illegal terminals and vendors in the area.

The MMDA and concerned LGUs will conduct an ocular inspection on Wednesday, December 10, to further assess traffic conditions and determine additional adjustments and engineering interventions.

A massive traffic jam occurred along Marcos Highway on Saturday due to the heavy volume of vehicles and the implementation of counterflow measures.