The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMA) resumed its campaign Friday against illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions on Mabuhay Lanes, which will be used as alternative routes once the government pushes for the planned rehabilitation of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
The EDSA Rebuild project, set to begin on June 13, was postponed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. citing the need for comprehensive rerouting plans and readiness of local government units to handle traffic disruptions, causing the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to halt the project.
The latest operation conducted by the MMDA Special Operations Group-Strike Force resulted in the removal of illegally parked motorcycles and vehicles and other types of road and sidewalk obstructions in Anda Circle, Mel Lopez Boulevard, and Moriones Street—all in Manila.
At least 30 drivers received citation tickets, while 14 vehicles were brought to the MMDA impounding site in Tumana, Marikina City. Owners of illegally parked cars were slapped with a P1,000 fine, while unattended parked vehicles will be fined P2,000.
The Mabuhay Lanes will be used by the government during the rehabilitation of the 23.8-kilometer highway. These cover the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Manila, and Quezon City. It also includes secondary roads going to shopping destinations in Metro Manila such as Baclaran in Parañaque, Greenhills in San Juan, Divisoria, and Carriedo in Manila.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said his agency is working closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the DPWH to develop a comprehensive plan to ease traffic in preparation for the EDSA Rebuild Project.
“On the part of the MMDA, we will study and explore various traffic mitigation options to alleviate the traffic that commuters and motorists will face.”
As a result of Marcos’ decision to postpone the project, the MMDA’s plan to enforce the odd-even traffic scheme, which was set to begin with a month-long dry run starting June 16, has also been canceled.
Under this odd-even scheme, vehicles with license plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) will not be allowed to use EDSA on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Conversely, vehicles with license plates ending in even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) will be prohibited from traversing EDSA on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
To reduce the gridlock that drivers and commuters are likely to experience, the MMDA said it will conduct research and consider alternative traffic mitigation strategies.
Artes emphasized that the suspension of the project provides an opportunity to revisit the plan and address the expected heavy traffic during the rehabilitation.
The EDSA Rebuild is part of President Marcos’ infrastructure program known as Build, Better, More (BBM).
Meanwhile, the MMDA will continue to implement the existing number coding scheme.
The MMDA is encouraging people to cooperate and report illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions on major roads through the agency’s social media account.
Motorists can also take pictures of illegal vendors, basketball courts, gambling tables, and other structures, including road diggings.
