The government has tapped the “netizens” or internet users for its renewed campaign against illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions along Mabuhay Lanes, alternate routes used by private motorists avoiding the congested Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
The latest operation conducted from June 1-7 resulted in the apprehension and towing of 47 illegally parked cars, motorcycles and public utility vehicles in the areas of Mayon Street, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Banawe Street, Scout Tobias, Del Monte Street, Agham Street, Hemady Street, La Loma, and Gilmore, all in Quezon City.
Composite teams from Metro Manila Development Authority—Parking Discipline Group and Task Force Mabuhay Lanes—conducted the operation upon the directives of MMDA chairman Emerson Carlos to clear the areas of all obstructions based on the complaints from affected residents and motorists.
The clearing operation is a joint effort with local government units, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group.
Carlos said his agency is encouraging the people to cooperate and report illegally parked vehicles and other obstruction on major roads through its website Netizens Watch.
“Motorists can take pictures of illegal vendors, basketball courts, gambling tables and other structures, including road diggings and they can post and upload them on our social media,” said Carlos.
The MMDA launched the social media reporting system in a bid to muster the public and private sectors in reporting to the agency all traffic obstructions on all roads in Metro Manila, especially the 17 Mabuhay Lanes.
MMDA said the report should include the name of the sender and the actual picture including the detailed location where the illegally parked vehicle or the obstruction was spotted and the time when it was taken.
The MMDA team tasked to monitor the reports will immediately verify all the information and forward it to the Agency’s Traffic Discipline Office under the supervision of its director Crisanto Saruca.
The MMDA has so far received more than 500 concerns regarding obstruction along major thoroughfares and Mabuhay Lanes.
Based on the regulations, the Mabuhay Lanes should be cleared of any kinds of obstructions 24 hours a day.
The 17 Mabuhay Lanes are alternative routes to the 23.8-kilometer Edsa. These cover the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Manila, and Quezon City. It also include secondary roads going to shopping destinations in Metro Manila such as Baclaran in Parañaque, Greenhills in San Juan, Divisoria, and Carriedo in Manila.
“Our policy is that if vehicles will be parked along Mabuhay Lanes in the morning, they will be towed and at night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. they will be fined P200,” Carlos said.
Last year, Task Force Mabuhay Lanes chief Ed Lara said the lack of cooperation from barangay officials hampers their campaign. He added some barangay officials failed to comply with the memorandum issued by the DILG ordering local government officials to cooperate in the clearing operations.
