The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has activated a comprehensive set of measures aimed at mitigating the severe traffic congestion anticipated across Metro Manila during the peak Christmas holiday season. The Authority’s action comes as vehicular volume on major thoroughfares, particularly EDSA, has significantly exceeded its operational capacity.
During a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes confirmed the urgency of the situation, citing data showing the volume of vehicles on EDSA alone has soared to approximately 450,000, drastically surpassing its designated capacity of 250,000.
“The volume of vehicles is simply excessive. Based on our data from the same period last year—the first and second weeks of December—we consistently see around 450,000 vehicles on EDSA alone, which is far beyond the 250,000 capacity,” Artes stated.
To manage the unprecedented volume, the MMDA has implemented the following immediate adjustments:
Intensified Clearing Operations on Mabuhay Lanes: Clearing efforts have been stepped up on these designated alternate routes to ensure their full accessibility, allowing motorists to bypass major congested roads like EDSA.
Public Transport Push: The MMDA is strongly urging the public to utilize major public transportation systems, including the EDSA Bus Carousel, Metro Rail Transit (MRT), and Light Rail Transit (LRT), to help decongest the roads.
Extended Public Transport Hours: Chairman Artes has coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend the operating hours of the MRT, LRT, and other public transport systems. This initiative aims to encourage commuters to leave their private vehicles at home.
Deployment of Additional Traffic Enforcers: Extra MMDA traffic enforcers will be deployed along Marcos Highway and other critical choke points, with support committed from Local Government Units (LGUs).
In response to the severe traffic gridlock experienced along Marcos Highway over the past weekend, Chairman Artes attributed the incident to simultaneous mall sales in areas outside the MMDA’s immediate jurisdiction.
To prevent a recurrence, the MMDA held a crucial meeting with the local governments of Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Cainta, and Antipolo to develop harmonized traffic mitigation strategies.
Artes made a direct appeal to mall operators to voluntarily refrain from holding mall-wide sale events during the peak holiday weeks.
“We have also consulted with the LGUs regarding mall-wide sales. We recommend a temporary prohibition because, as seen last weekend, the simultaneous mass exit of shoppers following the mall closures caused an immense bottleneck in traffic flow,” Artes explained.
The MMDA clarified that its appeal is focused solely on mall-wide sales, not individual store sales, to prevent synchronized surges in traffic. Artes noted that excessive traffic ultimately discourages foot traffic, negatively impacting mall sales.
Further enhancing its strategy, the MMDA has requested a temporary moratorium on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) anti-overloading checkpoints that have been observed to obstruct road flow.
Additionally, the MMDA is actively working to harmonize truck ban policies among LGUs to ease the flow of heavy vehicles, particularly along the critical Marcos Highway route.
The MMDA remains committed to implementing these multi-pronged strategies to ensure a smoother and safer travel experience for Metro Manila residents during the holiday rush.
