No number coding scheme from April 6-10, says MMDA

The number-coding scheme in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be suspended from April 6 to 10, which are declared holidays, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Friday.

April 6 and 7 are Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, respectively. April 10, meanwhile, has been declared as Day of Valor, a regular holiday.

In a Facebook post, the MMDA said it would set up a multi-agency command center (MACC) at its metrobase starting April 3 to ensure a peaceful and meaningful observance of the Holy Week.

“Through this inter-agency action center, we can monitor real-time updates on bus terminals across Metro Manila to ensure safer travel of the commuting public and orderly traffic flow in our roads as we observe the Holy Week,” said MMDA acting chairman Atty Don Artes.

The MACC will consist of representatives from the MMDA, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Inter-Agency Council for Traffic, Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, and local government units, the MMDA said.

The MACC, through CCTV cameras, will monitor actual status of major transport hubs, particularly bus terminals in the metropolis, from Holy Monday until April 6, Maundy Thursday, when influx of passengers who will travel outside Metro Manila is expected, it added.

An inter-agency terminal inspection is also set to be conducted days before the Holy Week, the MMDA also said.

To ensure that there will be enough manpower for the Holy Week, the MMDA will implement a "No Day Off, No Absent Policy" on April 5, 6, and 10 when traffic is expected to be congested .

Skeletal deployment, meanwhile, will be enforced on April 7, 8, and 9 and shall focus on the usual Visita Iglesia sites, including the Panata Route going to Antipolo and the Grotto, the MMDA said
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"MMDA traffic personnel will be assigned to roads leading to bus terminals, seaports, airports, and major churches across the metropolis, to guide the commuters taking advantage of the Lenten season and to ensure unimpeded traffic flow," said Artes.   —KBK, GMA Integrated News