The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Metro Manila mayors approved a resolution reiterating the exemption from the Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) and truck ban for fuel trucks, as well as the inclusion of cargo trucks carrying essential goods in the exemption, in view of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the resolution responds to requests from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which highlighted the need to exempt these vehicles from the policies to facilitate the fast transportation of petroleum products and essential goods.
“This would ensure the unimpeded movement of energy sources and ease the mobility of goods amid the rising price of fuel products,” Artes said during the Metro Manila Council meeting he presided over today at the MMDA Head Office in Pasig City.
The MMDA is in close coordination with the DTI, which will identify the essential goods that will qualify for the exemptions.
The resolution takes effect immediately after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, who joined the MMC meeting, presented updates and accomplishments of the “Oplan Kontra Baha,” a flood mitigation initiative under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Dizon urged Metro Manila mayors to identify priority flood prone areas in their localities.
Intensified declogging of drainage systems, dredging and cleaning waterways, clearing obstructions, and managing wastes will be undertaken before the rainy season.
“We will send equipment, manpower, and resources to areas identified by the Metro Manila mayors.”
“In the second round of our operations, we will declog priority local roads. We will send equipment, manpower, and resources to areas identified by the Metro Manila mayors,” the public works chief explained.
Upon the orders of the President, he said non-operating pumping stations should be operational before the rainy season. Dizon also called on mayors to submit their requests for new pumping stations in areas where the facilities are most needed.
MMC President and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora expressed gratitude to the President for the plans and programs aimed at preventing flooding during the rainy season and expediting unfinished infrastructure projects.
On the agency’s preparations for Holy Week, MMDA General Manager Usec. Nicolas Torre III said the MMDA will deploy 2,476 personnel on major roads, transportation hubs, and other key areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure public safety and convenience during the Holy Week observance.
“We will enforce a no day-off and no-absent policy for all traffic and field personnel when heavy traffic is expected due to the Holy Week exodus.”
“We will enforce a no day-off and no-absent policy for all traffic and field personnel when heavy traffic is expected due to the Holy Week exodus,” said Torre during the press briefing.
Areas of concern include terminals, seaports, airports, and roads leading to churches.
He also announced the suspension of the number coding scheme in the NCR on April 1 (Wednesday) at 12 noon.
The number coding scheme is lifted automatically on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (April 2 and 3), which are regular holidays.
Meanwhile, provincial buses will be allowed along EDSA starting 9pm of April 1 until 6am of April 6.
Buses from the south should terminate their trips at PITX while buses from the north should end their trips at the Cubao terminal.
