The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deploying at least 1,500 of its personnel as part of road assistance and safety measures as thousands of people are expected to go to their respective provinces to observe the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, locally referred to as Undas.
MMDA acting chairperson Carlo Dimayuga III said they will start their deployment on Friday, Oct. 28, to mark the activation of the "Oplan Undas 2022" from October 28 until November 2.
The exodus of people for the Undas is expected to start on Friday and Metro Manila is the staging point of all travels to the provinces--from bus terminals, seaports and airport.
"The MMDA is all set to undertake measures on traffic management, cleanup operations, road emergency and public assistance, and clearing of road obstructions in preparation for Undas," said Dimayuga, adding that their personnel will be deployed in key areas of the metropolis.
"No day off, no absent policy will be enforced among traffic enforcers for Undas," he added.
The 1,500 MMDA personnel will serve as augmentation for the more than 20,000 policemen who would be tapped to secure transportation hubs and major thoroughfares of Metro Manila starting Friday.
Aside from bus terminals, traffic personnel will be deployed to major roads leading to cemeteries and transportation hubs as thousands are expected to travel to their provinces to pay respect to their loved ones.
The Road Emergency Group will also set up public assistance centers with tents and ambulances to provide public assistance and rescue services at Metro Manila's five major cemeteries, including Manila North Cemetery, South Cemetery, Loyola Memorial Park, Bagbag Public Cemetery, and San Juan Public Cemetery.
Sidewalk and road clearing groups are tasked to remove all forms of obstructions on major roads, particularly those leading to cemeteries.
Members of the Metro Parkways Clearing Group will be in charge of maintaining the cleanliness in the vicinity of cemeteries and memorial parks.
The Metrobase Command Center and Digital Media Group are tasked to monitor traffic situations in the metropolis, addressing public concerns and providing real-time traffic updates.
Lakbay Alalay
For its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has instructed all its regional district engineering offices to deploy teams that will aid motorists during Undas.
DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said they have already activated its motorist assistance program dubbed “Lakbay Alalay”, adding that it will be operational along strategic locations nationwide starting at 7 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, until 12 noon of Wednesday, Nov. 2.
DPWH “Lakbay Alalay” Teams are composed of uniformed field and crew personnel with maintenance equipment on standby at navy blue-colored tents along identified stations.
“Our teams will be working on a round-the-clock shift to provide emergency assistance to travelers and ensure major thoroughfares are well-maintained, and free from obstruction and potholes,” said Bonoan.
Bonoan said he also also ordered implementing offices with ongoing projects to ensure that proper safety signages and traffic advisories are posted by contractors, in order to prevent traffic slowdown along major roads and routes leading to cemeteries.