The Metro Manila Development Authority has asked local government units to review and amend traffic and street regulations to prevent incidents similar to the confrontation between its constables and San Juan City personnel over illegally-parked vehicles last Thursday.
“If they can amend ordinances, it would be better. I think this is the best solution to solve the problem,” said lawyer Emerson Carlos, MMDA chairman.
The government recently formed an inter-agency task force led by the MMDA to kick off an all-out campaign against illegally-parked vehicles and other obstructions such as basketall courts, eateries and ambulant vendors on major thoroughfares and secondary roads.
The campaign, according to Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, aimed to ease traffic flow along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and use the secondary roads for 21 Mabuhay Lanes (formerly Christmas Lanes), identified by the government as alternate routes for private motorists particularly in the runup to the APEC summit on Nov. 17, 2015.
But last Thursday, members of the MMDA Traffic Management Unit led by Nestor Mendoza were conducting operations along Annapolis Street when they were stopped by the San Juan City government personnel, saying the parked vehicles were using the street, which is part of the Mabuhay Lane routes, for pay parking.
A heated argument ensued as the MMDA men were about to impound the vehicles and motorcycles.
Report showed that the San Juan local government, under its city ordinance, allowed car owners to park in the area and charged them P30 for the first three hours and an additional P10 for every succeeding hour.
Mendoza insisted that the city regulation limits the moving traffic on the four-lane street to two lanes, which contribute to traffic gridlock in he area. He also explained that all policies allowing pay parking along Mabuhay lanes have already been revoked.
But Mendoza’s team conceded and was forced to return the towed-vehicles after San Juan City officials talked to them and discuss the matter.
To avoid similar incident to happen again in the future, Carlos said his men, during operations, will be armed with a memorandum agreed and signed by Metro Manila mayors in connection with the clearing operations.
“The local government units have long been made aware of the clearing of the Mabuhay lanes. We will continue clearing these lanes of obstructions and illegally parked vehicles,” said Carlos.
Carlos also asked the Department of Interior and Local Government to act against village officials who tolerate and continue to issue permits to street vendors and eateries along secondary roads.
“The DILG has the authority over barangay officials while the MMDA has a separate task and just a coordinating body, so it’s up to them what they would do for the barangays,” he said.
Carlos said the agency’s clearing of Mabuhay lanes is also part of the country’s preparations for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting from November 16 to 20 and for the holiday rush when traffic is expected to be heavy on major thoroughfares, particularly Edsa, where several shopping centers and malls are situated.
The task force composed of men from the MMDA, National Police- Highway Patrol Group, DILG and Public Works and Highways department will vigorously be clearing the 21 routes all-year round to get rid of all obstructions until such time that order and smooth traffic flow have been restored in the streets.