MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has advised motorists to prepare for heavy traffic situations starting Friday (December 21) amid the holiday rush.
MMDA expects the surge of passengers bound for the provinces in bus terminals tomorrow and the influx of last-minute shoppers in malls.
Friday night party events are also expected to contribute to traffic congestion especially in EDSA.
Based on the latest monitoring of the agency, the average speed recorded in EDSA nowadays is at 14 kilometers per hour which is expected to become even slower ahead of the weekend rush.
“This is the last Friday. The most critical time talaga for Christmas are the two Fridays before Christmas…Maraming nagsasabi: “Last friday na ito. Maraming bibili,” Carmaggedon, diba? Expecting for the worst but hoping for the best. We will try to manage the best way we can,” said EDSA Traffic Czar Edison Nebrija.
Based on MMDA data, over 400,000 vehicles ply EDSA each day. This figure is way above EDSA’s road capacity of 288,000 vehicles.
For this reason, the MMDA calls on motorists to observe road discipline to avoid untoward incidents that can worsen the traffic situation in EDSA.
“Sana naman po sumunod naman tayo sa batas trapiko. Huwag na po kayong magmadali dahil sa bagal balewala po ang pagmamadali natin. Huwag nyo na pong isipin na kapag nasa isang lane kayo laging mabilis ang kabilang lane. Hindi po totoo iyon. Stick to your lane,” advised MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Joan Nano)
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