PNP ready to assist in traffic, security as EDSA rehab begins

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed full readiness to assist in traffic management and peace and order concerns as the rehabilitation of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) gets underway.

PNP chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force is set to coordinate closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to help ease traffic congestion and address security-related issues during the project’s implementation.

The rehabilitation works, which include concrete reblocking and asphalt overlaying, officially began at 11 p.m. on 24 December. By the following day, traffic congestion was already observed along affected sections of EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares, which accommodates hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily.

Nartatez said the PNP’s involvement is part of the government’s efforts to ensure public safety and minimize inconvenience to motorists and commuters.

“We expect heavy traffic, and we are ready to assist in terms of manpower for traffic management and other peace and order-related concerns, including road rage that could be prevented with the visible presence of our personnel,” Nartatez said.

He explained that while the MMDA and local government units will deploy their own traffic enforcers, the PNP’s territorial units and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) are prepared to serve as augmentation forces. These personnel may be strategically positioned along EDSA and key alternative routes to help manage traffic flow and respond quickly to incidents.

As part of proactive measures, the PNP will also place rapid deployment teams on standby to respond to road accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and other emergencies that may worsen congestion during the rehabilitation period.

In addition, the PNP plans to maximize the use of closed-circuit television cameras, traffic sensors, and traffic monitoring applications to track congestion levels and issue timely advisories to the public.

Motorists are encouraged to follow official PNP and MMDA channels for real-time updates and to plan their trips ahead based on the DPWH’s published rehabilitation schedules.

Nartatez emphasized that the PNP remains committed to supporting government infrastructure initiatives while ensuring public safety and minimizing disruption to the daily commute of motorists and commuters throughout the duration of the EDSA rehabilitation project.