Over 2,000 personnel to be deployed in NCR during Holy Week – MMDA

A total of 2,681 personnel will be deployed on major thoroughfares, transport hubs, and key areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure a safe observance of Holy Week, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Thursday.

In a statement, the MMDA said its Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa 2022 will run from April 8 to April 18, in coordination with the Philippine National Police-NCR Police Office, local government units, traffic bureaus, and other government agencies.

The Holy Week begins on Sunday, April 10 and ends on Saturday, April 16.

“Majority of the traffic personnel will be assigned to roads leading to provincial bus terminals, seaports, airports, and major churches, to ensure the safety of thousands of commuters expected to travel to nearby provinces to take advantage of the long Holy Week break,” MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said.

The focus of the operations will be the entry and exit points to and from Metro Manila, such as the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Coastal Road, McArthur Highway, Mindanao Avenue, and A. Bonifacio.

Traffic enforcers will also be assigned to frequently-visited churches like Redemptorist Church in Parañaque, Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, San Agustin Church in Intramuros, and Quiapo Church in Manila.

Simultaneous sidewalk clearing operations against illegal vendors within the vicinity of major churches will also be conducted. 

“These contingency measures are aimed to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and meaningful observance of Lent,” Artes said.

The Department of Health on Tuesday discouraged the kissing of altars and crucifixions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It also urged churches to temporarily discontinue the practice.

Coding scheme

Artes also announced that the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme will be suspended in the NCR on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, or on April 14 to 15.

Traffic and other field personnel were also tasked with implementing a "no day-off and no absent policy" during Holy Week, when a surge in travelers is expected. 

The MMDA Roadside Emergency Group will thus be on standby to provide roadside emergency service and assistance to the general public. —VBL, GMA News