MMDA: Brace for heavy traffic on Friday the 13th

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has advised motorists to expect heavy traffic on Friday as residents of Metro Manila might take the opportunity to head off outside the metropolis for the long vacation amid the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit from November 16 to 20.

According to MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos, bus terminals have reported low ridership last November 1. This, he said, could indicate that residents of Metro Manila are saving their vacation trips during the APEC week.

Carlos said that although there would still be school and government work on November 16, a Monday, the government declared November 17 to 20 as school holidays and November 18 and 19 as non-working days for government offices. The MMDA expects the bulk of Metro Manila residents to leave on Friday.

“Marami po sigurong mag-te-take advantage nito kasi nga po nakausap ko mga bus operators sa Araneta Cubao. Sabi po nila konti lang yung umalis at bumiyahe nung November 1. Ang dahilan daw po nila ay ikinarga daw po nila para sa APEC week yung pagbabakasyon nila,” said Carlos.

“Nag-e-expect sila (bus operators) na sa Friday the 13th, sa November 13 ang panahon at araw na maraming uuwi sa probinsya at aalis ng Metro Manila,” added Carlos.

Carlos said fueling the vacation fever is the fact that November 13th falls on a payday and that many workers will have received their 13th month pay by then.

“Pinaghahandaan po natin itong Biyernes at inaasahan po natin na magkakaroon po ng congestion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Carlos reminded motorists that while there will be no school and government work during the APEC week, the unified vehicle volume reduction program or the “number coding” will not be suspended from November 16 to November 20.

“Imposes pa rin ang number coding at iniiwasan po natin yung pagdami ng sasakyan sa mga araw na ito. Konting pasensya lang po para sa ating successful holding ng APEC,” said Carlos.