The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has started implementing intervention measures to prevent the repeat of the monstrous traffic jams along the Marcos Highway last week.

MMDA chairman Don Artes said strategic measures mapped out and now being carried out are aimed at easing congestion and improve overall vehicular flow along the major thoroughfare.

“Part of these efforts are the installation of additional traffic signages, deployment of additional personnel, and close coordination with the concerned local government units,” said Artes in a meeting held on Thursday, Dec. 11.

An average of 270,000 vehicles traverse the Marcos Highway daily and Artes said traffic inevitably becomes heavier during weekends.

Last week, photos and videos of the traffic gridlock along Marcos Highway went viral, with netizens and motorists lambasting the government for failure to foresee such problem.

This prompted a coordination meeting between the MMDA and traffic managers of Marikina, Pasig City, Antipolo and Cainta.

During the inspection, Artes said the composite team was able to assess key intersections, U-turn slots, loading and unloading zones, and major access points along the stretch of Marcos Highway.

The evaluation allowed the agency to pinpoint operational bottlenecks, observe vehicular flow patterns, and identify safety concerns affecting both motorists and pedestrians.

“Coordination is crucial. We need to synchronize traffic adjustments immediately with the LGUs,” Artes said.

Among the intervention measures are replacement of the concrete barriers with 20 plastic barriers; relocation and reconfiguration of U-turn slots in coordination with the concerned local government units within the area; and, traffic signal adjustments on the signalized intersection of Sumulong Highway-Marcos Highway.

Artes said the MMDA will also request concerned LGUs to ask mall owners to refrain from conducting mall-wide sales during peak periods due to the significant increase in vehicle volume brought about by heavy commercial activity.

“We are not prohibiting malls from conducting per store sales. What we are emphasizing is cooperation—especially in managing the surge of shoppers which directly impacts traffic,” said Artes.