MMDA: Last-minute campaigning to cause heavy traffic

MANILA, Philippines — Commuters and motorists should expect heavy traffic today due to the campaign-related activities of local candidates, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

Motorcades, miting de avance or proclamation rallies and the exodus of commuters who will vote in the provinces will worsen Friday’s traffic woes, according to MMDA czar Bong Nebrija.

“We will be on our toes managing the traffic,” he said.

Nebrija said the campaign-related activities might cause a spillover of vehicles on EDSA and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis as he noted that a lot of roads will be closed.

Despite the expected heavy traffic, Nebrija said the MMDA will observe the normal deployment of enforcers as he emphasized that they will also cast their votes on Monday.

It is going to be a “normal deployment with abnormal (traffic) situation,” he said.

Nebrija said that as of yesterday, the Quezon City government has coordinated with the agency on election-related activities and he expects the other local government officials to do the same.