HPG sets sights on La Salle Greenhills traffic jam

MANILA, Philippines - The Highway Patrol Group will crack down on motorists who violate traffic rules when they drop off or fetch students at La Salle Greenhills (LSGH), an official said yesterday.

HPG head Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao said motorists who fetch students from LSGH cannot occupy three lanes of Ortigas Avenue since they cause traffic buildups that last several hours.

He said that starting next week, parents and drivers will be limited to lining up near the gates of LSGH and one lane of Ortigas Avenue while waiting for their children. 

“But after the gates of LSGH, our men will apprehend these vehicles and give traffic tickets,” Gunnacao said.

“Our request to the parents is that if they reach the tail end of EDSA, please park at other areas because if they reached EDSA, we will be forced to apprehend them because they are causing (heavy) traffic,” he added. 

The HPG chief said they will tow illegally parked vehicles in the vicinity of the school.

According to Gunnacao, Secretary Jose Rene Almendras had written a letter to LSGH officials and they promised to coordinate with the parents.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. also coordinated with the school administration “and we have monitored the parents now occupying only one lane of Ortigas Avenue.”

Motorists have complained of heavy traffic caused by illegally parked vehicles along Ortigas Avenue, especially when students are fetched by their parents or drivers.

The HPG also reminded school officials that it is their responsibility to provide a parking space for waiting vehicles or open a part of their compound to accommodate them. 

Clearing alternative routes

The HPG is also coordinating with other local government units in Metro Manila to clear alternative routes of obstructions so that motorists can use them for the coming Christmas rush. 

Gunnacao said that intersection of EDSA and Quezon Avenue will be reopened to motorists as soon as traffic lights are installed in the area. 

Motorists coming from Quezon Memorial Circle going to Cubao will be allowed to turn left, same with motorists coming from Quiapo going to Balintawak Avenue. 

The HPG is also considering reopening the intersection of Congressional and Roosevelt Avenues.