MMDA to deploy 1800 enforcers for 'All Souls' weekend'

Published October 28, 2010 3:06pm

Starting on Friday, at least 1,800 traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be deployed to key roads for the "All Souls' weekend." The MMDA said the enforcers will be assigned at major thoroughfares and secondary roads, especially those near cemeteries and memorial parks. "I have instructed our enforcers to strictly implement the laws so that there will be smooth flow of human and vehicular traffic," MMDA Traffic and Transport Management Office head Emerson Carlos said on the MMDA website Thursday. All Souls' Day, November 2, is a Catholic feast day for remembering the dead. However, millions of Filipinos start flocking to cemeteries as early as November 1, All Saints' Day, also a Catholic feast for honoring all saints, both those who are known and the unknown. Many Filipinos even start visiting cemeteries on Halloween (also known as All Hallows' Eve), October 31, the eve of All Saints' Day (previously called All Hallows' Day). CArlos requested the public to cooperate with traffic enforcers and other authorities to guarantee a peaceful and orderly celebration of All Souls' Day. Carlos was designated MMDA officer-in-charge in the absence of Chairman Francis Tolentino, who is in Jakarta, Indonesia to attend the 1st ASEM Meeting for Governors and Mayors. The MMDA said most of the enforcers will be deployed to the major cemeteries and memorial parks including:

North, South, and Chinese cemeteries in Manila;

Manila and Loyola Memorial Parks in ParaÃ±aque;

La Loma, Bagbag, Himlayan, Eternal, and Holy Cross in Quezon City. MMDA mobile patrol and motorcycle units will also be deployed near provincial bus terminals along the stretch of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue from Cubao, Quezon City to Pasay City. The MMDA would ensure that bus drivers would not violate the agency's "Nose-in Nose-out" policy which prohibits them from making unnecessary maneuvers near ingress and exits of their terminals. At least six ambulances and tow trucks will also be on alert to respond to road emergencies. MMDA enforcers will work hand in hand with the Philippine National Police, Traffic Enforcement Group, the local government units (LGUs), and other civic volunteer groups. MMDA Supervising Consultant for Traffic Danilo Gaoiran said they will manage and control traffic, while local government units implement their respective traffic rerouting schemes. The traffic management guidelines are part of "Oplan Undas 2010," an inter-agency contingency plan for the expedient mobility of vehicles and people expected to flock the cemeteries to pay respect to their departed loved ones. â€“VVP, GMANews.TV

Tags: mmda, allsoulsday