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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider MMC ramps up efforts vs. Christmas traffic in major metro thoroughfares

MMC ramps up efforts vs. Christmas traffic in major metro thoroughfares

Published Nov 28, 2022 10:40 am

San Juan City Mayor and newly-elected Metro Manila Council (MMC) President Francis Zamora said the council is ramping up its efforts in mitigating the traffic in the National Capital Region (NBCR) caused by the holiday rush.

During the Nov. 26 joint session of the MMC and the Regional Development Council (RDC) which he co-chairs, Zamora enumerated the steps the MMC will take to ease the traffic woes of the public.

These include the adjustment of mall hours, extending the duty of traffic enforcers, and the suspension of road construction works.

On Nov. 14, mall owners and operators in Metro Manila have adjusted their operating hours as part of the measures to manage the expected traffic congestion during the Christmas season from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The adjusted mall hours will be in effect until Jan. 6 of next year.

“We have to implement remedial measures to reduce traffic congestion. The new mall operating hours were agreed during a consultative meeting with major stakeholders,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said.

Based on the agreement, Artes said mall-wide sales will only be allowed during weekends while deliveries will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. only.

Exempted from the regulation are deliveries of perishable goods, restaurants serving breakfast, and groceries.

Zamora also said the MMC has also postponed the demolition of the bridge in Altura, Sta. Mesa to give way to the construction of the NLEX-SLEX Connector.

"Yung NLEX-SLEX Connector matutuloy po yan ngunit ang decommissioning ng Magsaysay Bridge ay sa Dec. 26 pa, so ibig sabihin, magagamit pa ang tulay hanggang sa Dec. 25, papalagpasin lang ang Pasko (The NLEX-SLEX Connector project will still continue but the decommissioning of the Magsaysay Bridge will be on Dec. 26. This means the bridge can still be used until Dec. 25)," Zamora said.

Safety protocols

Aside from introducing steps to mitigate holiday traffic, Zamora also urged the public to still observe the minimum public health and safety protocols against Covid-19 amid the easing of some restrictions such as the voluntary wearing of face masks and the increase in capacity of businesses.

On Oct. 27, the mayor said that the public must already know their own individual risks and learn to decide by themselves following the lifting of the mandatory wearing of face masks indoors as part of the national government’s efforts to boost the country’s economy that has been battered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The operative word here is 'voluntary.' No one is forcing anyone not to wear a mask. So, we have the option if we feel that the indoor area we are in is safe then we have the option not to wear a mask. If we feel that it’s crowded and there are too many people and it’s not safe, then we have the option or choice to wear a mask,” Zamora said in an interview with ANC.

“So, I believe that we are being given a choice. This is something that I honestly appreciate because there are some instances where you may be indoors but it is not a high-risk area so I can opt not to wear my mask. But once I enter, for instance, a mall that is filled with a lot of people, I will choose to wear my mask,” he added.

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