The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has implemented a reorganization involving three of its officials in a bid to further improve the traffic situation in Metro Manila especially that the National Capital Region (NCR) is now under a more relaxed mobility restrictions.
MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said the reorganization will also take care of the gradual shift to normalization wherein more vehicles are expected to be visible in Metro Manila streets.
Edison Nebrija was appointed as the head of the New Task Force Special Operations (TFSO) and Anti-Colorum Unit while Jeffrey Torres was named as his replacement as the chief of the DSA Special Traffic and Transport Zone. D’Arthony John Maquinto was named as head of the Northern Traffic Enforcement District.
Nebrija served as head of the TFSO during the time of late MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim and initiated clearing operations to remove all kinds of obstructions. As head of the task force, Nebrija’s jurisdiction is not only limited to EDSA alone but on all Metro Manila roads under the jurisdiction of the agency,
“We trust the capability of Nebrija to enforce traffic rules and regulations beyond the stretch of EDSA, and clear Mabuhay Lanes and other major thoroughfares of traffic obstructions,” said Artes.
Torres, on the other hand, will be the over-all head of the traffic management on EDSA, the country’s busiest thoroughfare.
"My marching orders for Torres is to speed up traffic flow on EDSA by focusing on traffic management while apprehension of traffic violators is only secondary," said Artes.
For his part, Nebrija said the TFSO will concentrate on providing alternative routes to motorists, especially now that traffic is going back to normal.
“We will intensify our clearing operations so that motorists would have alternate routes aside from EDSA. We are thankful that the management is supportive of our programs to ease traffic in Metro Manila,” he said.
Torres, for his part, assured constant visibility of traffic enforcers along the highway, especially during rush hours when traffic congestion is at its peak. Currently, there are 500 traffic enforcers deployed along EDSA.
“We will maximize the visibility of the traffic enforcers assigned to EDSA,” said Torres.