MMDA adds more enforcers as traffic increased after Meralco Ave. section closure

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday said it has added more enforcers to manage the slight increase in traffic after the closure of a portion of Meralco Avenue in Pasig City.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, MMDA spokesperson Mel Carunungan said that among the roads with slight increase in traffic are Captain Henry Javier Street and the intersection on Camino Verde Road.

“Ang nakita po ng aming director of the Traffic Engineering Center after one whole day of implementation of the new traffic scheme in this area is may slight increase lang po sa Captain Henry Javier Street at sa ito po 'yung Camino Verde intersection,” she said.

(After one whole day of implementation of the new traffic scheme in this area, our director of the Traffic Engineering Center observed a slight increase in Captain Henry Javier Street and Camino Verde intersection.)

“Ang ginawa po ng aming [MMDA Traffic Engineering Center] director Noemi Recio ay nag-deploy siya ng karagdagang traffic enforcers para magtulong sa area po na ito,” she added.

(What our director Noemi Recio did is she deployed additional traffic enforcers to help in this area.)

The MMDA also displayed informational and directional signs to help motorists.

Asked if the MMDA will also add more rerouting schemes to address the traffic considering the resumption of face-to-face classes and the holiday season, she said they will do so when necessary.

“We will add as the need arises. So far naman po nakita po namin na wala namang masyadong spillover sa mga major thoroughfares so mukhang naman na may mga motorista na nag-iiwas sa areas na ito,” she said.

(We will add as the need arises. So far, we observed that the spillover to major thoroughfares was not too much, so it seems motorists are avoiding this area.)

After two to three weeks, Carunungan said the MMDA, the Department of Transportation, and concerned local government units will convene and assess the situation in the area for possible adjustments.

In a separate interview on ANC, DOTr Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said the traffic in the concerned area is not as bad as expected.

“It is not as bad as we thought it would be because [the closed section is] only about 250 meters from the corner of Shaw Boulevard to Meralco Avenue. The entire Meralco Avenue from Ortigas is free for traffic,” he said.

He said few buildings will be demolished in six to eight months in the area for the subway railway project.

Owners of around 20 affected establishments are set to receive compensation of at least P3 million.

The north and southbound lanes of a section of Meralco Avenue were closed starting Monday, October 3, to make way for the construction of the Metro Manila Subway Project-Shaw Boulevard Station. The road closure is effective until 2028. —Joviland Rita/KG/RSJ, GMA News