MMDA: Roads Can’t Be Closed For Motorcades, Caravans; Resumption Of Whole Day Coding Being Studied

Road closures are not allowed to give way to motorcades and caravans for political purposes, the Metro Manila Development Authority said on Monday, Dec. 13, as it warned that penalties could also be imposed for obstruction of traffic.

Neomie Recio, MMDA Traffic Engineering Center director, reminded the motorcade and caravan participants to stay in designated lanes so the public won’t be inconvenienced.

“Bawal sarahan ‘yung kalsada, if ever they will be given one or two lanes para maokupa nila para ‘yun namang mga ‘di kasama sa caravan ay ‘di maperwisyo,” Recio told “One Balita Pilipinas” on One PH.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, the MMDA came up with guidelines on motorcades and caravans as people complained against getting stuck in traffic due to these political activities ahead of the campaign period for the 2022 general elections.

Based on the guidelines, the MMDA shall regulate, evaluate, and issue permits for motorcades and/or caravans in the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila. The concerned local government units (LGUs), meanwhile, will be in charge for such activities in all other roads.

Motorcades and/or caravans shall only be permitted during weekends and holidays between 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and organizers of these events need to apply for a roadway private utilization permit (RPUP) with the MMDA and/or the concerned LGUs. They should state in their applications the name of the event, organizations involved, date, time, route, estimated number of motor vehicles, program of activities, and other relevant details.

“The application for permit shall be evaluated and issued by the MMDA and/or the concerned Metro Manila LGUs, with the consideration of a traffic management plan and undertaking of a public information and awareness campaign for the purpose,” the agency noted.

The organizers of the motorcades and/or caravans shall also comply with relevant laws such as Republic Act No. 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code), rules and regulations of the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board as well as the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases pertaining to the COVID-19 minimum public health standards, the MMDA noted.

The MMDA said any violation of the undertaking or material misrepresentation in the application shall be grounds for suspension, cancellation or revocation of RPUP.

“Pwede silang i-penalize siyempre, kung nag-obstruct sila ng traffic, pwede silang matiketan ng obstruction, at may mga CCTV cameras kami, pwede silang mahuli ng no-contact apprehension namin,” Recio warned.

Recio explained the MMDA is allowing the conduct of motorcades or caravans during weekends and holidays because people usually wake up late during these days and mall hours had also been adjusted.

“Hindi naman ganun kaaga [nagigising] ‘yung mga kababayan natin and opening ng malls natin pina-adjust natin, ginawa nating 11 a.m. para ‘di sumabay itong caravans na ‘to,” she said.

Recio emphasized that proper coordination among the concerned parties and organizers is needed. “Kung dadaan sila sa jurisdiction ni MMDA and nire-request nga namin na magkaroon ng pre-meetings.”

“Ibig sabihin, kailangan bago dumating ‘yung [motorcade/caravan] na ‘yun is magkakaroon muna kami ng coordination,” she stressed.

On Sunday, Dec. 12, MMDA general manager Romando Artes said in a statement that the same standard and procedure will be applied to all applicants for rally permits regardless of political party.

The MMDA official urged organizers of motorcades and caravans to follow the guidelines to minimize traffic gridlocks in the National Capital Region.

Artes also said that the "no day off, no absent" policy for MMDA traffic enforcers was implemented to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the conduct of motorcades or caravans.

“We recognize the efforts of our people, Philippine National Police, LGUs and all concerned government officials, the organizers as well as the participants involved,” he added.

Number coding scheme

In the same interview, Recio bared that the MMDA is also studying the possibility of resuming the whole day number coding scheme in Metro Manila and has been gathering data on a daily basis to come up with solutions to the traffic problem now that more motorists are back on the streets.

“Patuloy ang pag-aaral ng MMDA, actually, araw-araw nagkakaroon kami ng data gathering para makita natin as much as possible sana ayaw nating mangyari 'yon,” she said when asked whether the traffic condition in Metro Manila has reached pre-pandemic levels.

“But worse comes to worst, kung patuloy na dumadami pa rin mga sasakyan natin at bumabagal ang takbo ng traffic natin ay talagang no choice tayo," she added.

Recio stressed they are trying to figure out if the number coding could be implemented in the morning or the whole day considering that the public transportation modes only operate at 70% capacity. She said they do no want more commuters falling in line for transportation.

Recio said if the modified coding number was not enforced, Metro Manila could have experienced the pre-pandemic traffic volume.

On Dec. 1, the MMDA started the reimplementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or number coding during rush hour in the afternoon on Mondays to Fridays, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., except holidays.