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MMDA, BFP open fire lane in EDSA


The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Sunday opened EDSA's fourth lane to fire trucks.

During the opening ceremony, the MMDA demonstrated the use of the fire lane in cooperation with the BFP by conducting a fire drill along EDSA-Boni Avenue area in Mandaluyong City.

 

EDSA, the longest highway in Metro Manila that passes through six cities, has five lanes. 

BFP National Capital Region Regional director Wilbero Kwan Tiu said the fire lane, the fourth lane from the sidewalk, will allow fire trucks to respond to fire emergencies faster especially during the rush hour.

"Yun ang maganda 'pag may designated fire lane tayo, pagdating ng rush hour talagang iisa lang gagamitin niya na lane. Lahat ng firetruck ng ka-Maynilaan iisa lang gagamitin niya na lane para yung mga motorista may pagkakataon na umiwas. Hindi na yung firetruck ang iiwas," Kwan Tiu said.

He urged Metro Manila mayors to also allot fire lanes in their respective areas of jurisdiction aside from EDSA.

 

 

Before the launch of the fire lane, which came after the Fire Prevention Month, Kwan Tiu said firetrucks used to avoid other vehicles on EDSA which sometimes caused accidents.

"Ang nangyayari kasi ngayon yung firetruck na mismo ang umiiwas sa mga motoristang nauuna sa firetruck. Medyo risky yan knowing na ang firetruck ay malaki at mabilis ang takbo, mahirap yung siya ang umiiwas sa mga sasakyan,' Kwan Tiu said.

"Ngayong may fire lane tayo mas mapapabilis yung takbo ng fire truck at iisa na lang yung gagamitin na lane, at ang mga motorista once naiintindihan na nila na yung ginagamit nila ay fire lane ay sila na mismo ang tatabi either sa left nila or sa right nila," he added.

Kwan Tiu said the BFP will mark designated fire lanes as a no parking zone, noting violators will face penalties in violation of the Fire Code of the Philippines.

He added that firemen may also be forced to break the windows of motor vehicles to remove them from the fire lanes during emergencies. —report from Divine Reyes/Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News

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