The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that its Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa 2022 (Oplan M.A.S.S. 2022) has been enacted in Metro Manila.
Heavy traffic is expected this Holy Week
Under the Oplan M.A.S.S. 2022, the MMDA has deployed 2,681 personnel on major thoroughfares, major transport hubs, and key areas in Metro Manila to ensure a smooth traffic flow until April 18. This is done in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), various local government units (LGUs), and other government agencies.
Entry and exit points to and from Metro Manila such as North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Coastal Road, McArthur Highway, Mindanao Avenue, and A. Bonifacio are the focus of the operation. The MMDA is also assigning traffic enforcers to frequently-visited churches, as well as clearing operation personnel to limit illegal vendors from obstructing roads.
MMDA continues to look for traffic solutions
The Unified Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), or the number coding scheme, will be suspended by the MMDA on April 12 (Holy Tuesday) and April 13 (Holy Wednesday). With this, motorists can get to their destinations in the comfort of their vehicles this upcoming long weekend. The number coding scheme is automatically suspended on April 14 (Maundy Thursday) and April 15 (Good Friday) since the said dates are declared holidays.
“Majority of the traffic personnel will be assigned to roads leading to provincial bus terminals, seaports, airports, and major churches, to ensure the safety of thousands of commuters expected to travel to nearby provinces to take advantage of the long Holy Week break,” said MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes.
In related news, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has activated its “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” (SMSK) campaign along its expressways such as the NLEX and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). This aims to address the traffic surge this Holy Week rush as the toll road company is expecting a traffic increase of 10 to 15 percent.
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