MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Thursday said it has asked the Commission on Election to regulate the use of Metro Manila's major thoroughfares for political motorcades and caravans for the upcoming barangay polls on Oct. 28.
MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency has filed a petition before the poll body, asking the Comelec to authorize and deputize the MMDA to assist in regulating the use of major thoroughfares for campaign motorcades and caravans during the barangay election period.
Tolentino said the conduct of several election campaigns, caravans, rallies and other similar election-related activities in major thoroughfares greatly affect the "already congested flow of traffic."
"Our proposal is not intended to prohibit any election campaign activity but merely to regulate the use of major roads," he added.
The major roads identified by the MMDA are EDSA, C-5, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway, Commonwealth Avenue, España Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, President Quirino Avenue, Aurora Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, MIA Road, Domestic Road, Andrews Avenue, South Super Highway, Taft Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Araneta Avenue, AH. Lacson Street, Rizal Avenue, Katipunan Avenue, and A. Bonifacio Avenue.
Tolentino said that allowing motorcades and caravans along the major roads would unnecessarily affect the free flow of vehicular traffic.
The campaign period for the barangay elections is scheduled from Oct. 18 to Oct. 26.
Last April, during the midterm election period, Comelec has issued a resolution, regulating the use of major thoroughfares within Metro Manila for campaigns, caravans, rallies, and other election-related activities.
"I am optimistic that Comelec will again grant our request, as it is really necessary. Those election-related activities, if not regulated, will cripple the major roads of Metro Manila and cause inconvenience to the public," Tolentino said.