HPG wish list: Sunblock, vitamins

MANILA, Philippines - What will make work easier for the traffic enforcers of the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG)?

Sunblock, water jugs and Vitamin C will help, according to the HPG chief.

Donations have started pouring in for the cops newly deployed to man traffic at six chokepoints along EDSA.

“When I saw the tarpaulin of Vicki Belo, I remembered our men sweating under the sun, getting tanned… we need Vitamin C, water jugs and sunblock,” HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao told reporters.

Gunnacao said the HPG received 24 units of heavy duty tents from Hypro Construction and Development Corp. yesterday.

On Wednesday, the Management Association of the Philippines donated 200 orange raincoats, 200 rubber boots, 200 rechargeable LED flashlights, 200 gloves, 200 facemasks and six digital cameras.

Gunnacao called on his men to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, rain or shine. He said he also told them not to leave their posts for as long as necessary and only take a rest when the flow of traffic is smooth.

HPG spokesman Supt. Oliver Tanseco expressed gratitude for the public’s support to the HPG.

“This is a clear example of public-private partnership, the essence of the Filipino value of bayanihan. We can only do much about the traffic on EDSA, but with the support of the public, we know we can do it,” Tanseco said.

Tanseco said the tents that they received would be used as command posts on six chokepoints along EDSA.

Gunnacao said the command posts could also accommodate pedestrians during heavy rains.

The HPG chief said they continue to look for solutions to ease the flow of traffic along EDSA and other major thoroughfares. “So far so good, unlike the previous days when traffic was snarled because of unforeseen circumstances,” he said, citing road repairs and undisciplined drivers.

Alternate route

Gunnacao advised motorists to try alternative routes to avoid traffic jams on EDSA.

“We initiated programs to establish alternate routes in coordination with the Traffic Enforcement Unit and other police districts… some HPG personnel have been deployed to Rosario, Pasig, which is connected to EDSA,” he said.

He said those going to Pasay or Cavite from Ayala can turn left to McKinley then to Fort Bonifacio, while those going to Cavite should take Bayani Road then C-5.

“Those going to Pasay should go to Villamor, Resort World, airport, then Pasay, up to Roxas Boulevard where traffic is smooth,” he said.

“Those going to Manila from Shaw should try JP Rizal then Pedro Gil,” he added.

Gunnacao said addressing the traffic problem is a national government initiative led by Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police.

He said the HPG has issued 271 traffic violation receipts, mostly for obstruction, illegal loading and unloading as of yesterday.

Gunnacao said travel time along the stretch of EDSA has improved by 10 to 15 minutes since HPG personnel were deployed on Monday.

“From Monumento to Makati, which used to take two hours, it’s now an hour and 45 minutes,” he said.