MMDA conducts Manila road clearing ops ahead of Traslacion 2026

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) began conducting road clearing operations ahead of the annual Traslacion to ensure that the route will be safe for the expected large number of devotees.

In Oscar Oida’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” a barangay ex officio member tried to reason with the MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force but to no avail, and moved his motorcycle and other obstacles from the road and sidewalks.

These obstacles could cause danger and slow down the procession, according to the MMDA.

A number of parked vehicles along Carlos Palanca Street, Quezon Boulevard and Arlegui St. were removed, and their drivers received violation tickets.

“We’re expecting millions or even hundreds of thousands of people who will be participating. It's very important na as early as now i-clear na po natin sila,” said Gabriel Go, head of the MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force.

Some stalls and carwash services were warned from taking space along the sidewalk.

Illegally parked vehicles along Plaza del Carmen were also removed.

“May mga sasakyan na inabutan po natin na wala naman pong parking ticket so ibig sabihin po niyan pumarada po sila illegally,” Go said.

(Some vehicles have no parking tickets, so they were parked there illegally.)

Starting Wednesday, January 7, designated parking areas along the route of Traslacion 2026 are temporarily suspended. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News