By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, Oct. 25 (PNA) – “All systems go.”
This was the announcement of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Sunday as the agency began implementing “Oplan Kaluluwa 2015.”
MMDA Officer-in-charge Emerson Carlos said the agency will deploy 2,000 personnel composed of clean-up crews, medical teams and traffic enforcers in public cemeteries and other areas from Oct. 23 to Nov. 3 for “Oplan Kaluluwa.”
Carlos said traffic personnel will be deployed in bus terminals due to the influx of people who will trek to the provinces to visit the tombs of their departed loved ones.
He also said MMDA traffic enforcers are also tasked to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic along Metro Manila’s thoroughfares leading to the major cemeteries.
To ensure the safety of commuters heading out to the provinces, Carlos said they will conduct a surprise random testing on passenger bus drivers and conductors at various bus terminals.
“Tututukan din ang mga bus terminals para sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan sa pagsakay,” he said.
Aside from the traffic constables and roving teams of the agency’s Traffic Discipline Office (TDO), augmentation personnel from the Anti-Jaywalking Unit and Over Speeding will also be tapped for traffic management purposes.
Members of the Task Force Illegal Terminal, Parking Discipline Group, Towing and Impounding Group will also be fielded to clear major roads and sidewalks of all forms of obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles.
The Road Emergency Group, on the other hand, will set up Public Assistance Centers with tents and ambulances in four major cemeteries in the metropolis to provide emergency medical services to cemetery goers.
The agency’s Traffic Operations Centers will also monitor traffic conditions around-the-clock and dispatch any assistance — heavy vehicles, tow trucks and ambulances — to any accident or distress calls.
He also advised motorists and commuters to plan their travel accordingly to avoid heavy traffic.
Thousands of Filipinos are expected to flock to public and private cemeteries in Metro Manila on Nov. 1 and 2 to pay their respects to their departed loved ones. Many others go to their home provinces to spend “Undas.” (PNA)