MMDA: Trucks to tow illegally-parked vehicles

Expecting that traffic during the Christmas season will be at its heaviest on Wednesday and Thursday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will immediately tow away illegally-parked vehicles in metro's major roads. The MMDA said on Wednesday it has dispatched tow trucks to remove obstructions and ease congestion in major and secondary roads. "We expect heavier traffic today and tomorrow (December 23), particularly on areas where the malls are located and parking space is a big problem," MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said on the MMDA website on Wednesday. "I have instructed our traffic personnel to tow illegally parked vehicles at once to avoid clogging the streets," Tolentino said. He said the move aims to ease the unusual heavy traffic situation during the Christmas season, which usually worsens as Christmas Day nears. Tolentino advised vehicle owners and motorists to observe parking discipline to avoid paying traffic fines and having their vehicles towed. Recently, the MMDA's policy-making body, the Metro Manila Council, approved a proposal to increase the penalty for stalled and illegally-parked vehicles. The implementing guidelines are being drawn up and the scheme is expected to take effect by mid-January. MMDA figures showed that some 1,200 vehicles have been plying Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) per hour since the holiday rush began. The number is expected to triple on Wednesday and Thursday because of last-minute Christmas shoppers and motorists going home to nearby provinces. Tolentino reiterated that traffic is a universal problem at this time of year because of the festive season. He urged motorists to plan their trips accordingly to avoid any inconvenience. Increase in travel speed Meanwhile, a study conducted by the agency's Traffic and Transport Management Office showed that travel speed along EDSA has increased since the implementation of the number coding on city and provincial buses and the opening of the Christmas lanes. Travel speed on October 27, before the implementation of the number coding for buses and the setting up of Christmas lanes, was pegged at 26.16 kilometers per hour (kph). It went up to 32.07 kph (or a 22.59 pecent increase) on December 9 and 28.79 kph (or a 10.05 percent increase) on December 15 . Tolentino said the increase in the number of traffic enforcers also helped ease the flow of traffic within Metro Manila. – VVP, GMANews.TV