THE Metro Manila Development Authority has started implementing the new traffic scheme for public utility jeepneys in Makati City’s Guadalupe district following the sidewalk clearing and anti-illegal parking operations over the weekend.
“The first day of the implementation of the traffic management plan for the Guadalupe area was successful in decongesting the place of pedestrian and vehicular obstructions, such as illegal sidewalk vendors,” said MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos.
Orbos said his men from Traffic Discipline Office, Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, and Anti-Illegal Parking Operations unit conducted clearing operations in the inner streets of Guadalupe to ensure compliance of the routes agreed upon during the dialogue with barangay officials and jeepney drivers and operators last week.
“Proper coordination between MMDA and the officials of Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo, as well as the cooperation of jeepney drivers and operators and owners of business establishments, including sidewalk vendors was a big factor in solving traffic problem here in Guadalupe,” he said.
This is the first time in recent years that jeepneys previously passing through Guadalupe and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue are regulated to use the inner streets.
The MMDA identified the Edsa-Guadalupe, especially the northbound lane, as one of the perennial traffic chokepoints in Metro Manila.
MMDA personnel and local barangay traffic personnel went around the streets in Guadalupe area to make certain that vendors would not encroach on the sidewalk for pedestrians.
A total of four vehicles were towed for illegal parking while two truckloads of various items were confiscated from illegal vendors.
Under the agreement, only two jeepneys will be allowed to pick up passengers on designated loading bays so as not to create traffic on the inner streets in the area. Due to the limited space, other jeepneys waited for their turn to load passengers inside their respective terminals.
The new Traffic Management Plan also stated that jeepneys will not be allowed to traverse Edsa but instead use the inner streets to go their respective destinations like Manila, Taguig City, and Pateros.
MMDA and barangay officials also proposed that to further ease the traffic condition in the area, deliveries intended for the commercial establishments in Guadalupe should be around 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day.
The delivery scheme has been used by big mall operators in Metro Manila since last year’s meeting with MMDA officials, who came out with the plan.