MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has rolled out several measures to address the expected surge in traffic across Metro Manila during the Christmas season.

In a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said vehicular volume on major thoroughfares, particularly EDSA, has already exceeded its capacity.

“Sobra po kasi ang volume ng sasakyan, we expect it dahil sa atin pong datos last year ng same week, first week and second week ng December, umaabot po talaga ng 450,000 ang vehicles sa EDSA alone – iyan po ay more than the 250,000 capacity,” Artes said.

To manage the high volume of vehicles, Artes said the MMDA has intensified clearing operations of Mabuhay Lanes, which serve as alternate routes for motorists to avoid congested roads like EDSA. He also encouraged commuters to use public transportation, including the EDSA Bus Carousel, MRT, and LRT, to help decongest main roads.

Artes said the agency has coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend operating hours of public transit systems during the holiday season.

Addressing the recent traffic gridlock along Marcos Highway, Artes attributed the incident to simultaneous mall sales in areas outside MMDA’s jurisdiction.

“Iyong sa nangyari naman po sa Marcos Highway, nagkasabay-sabay po iyong sale doon po sa mga malls na outside ng jurisdiction ng MMDA… Dahil po dito sa may parteng Rizal may mga nag-mall sale, nagkasabay-sabay po iyong paglabas at nabulunan po,” he said.

To prevent a recurrence, the MMDA held meetings with the local governments of Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Cainta, and Antipolo to plan traffic mitigation measures. Artes also appealed to mall operators to avoid simultaneous mall-wide sales during peak holiday weeks, though individual store sales remain allowed.

Artes added that MMDA has requested a temporary moratorium on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) anti-overloading checkpoints that impede road flow. He also cited the need for harmonized truck ban policies among local governments and announced the deployment of additional traffic enforcers along Marcos Highway, with LGU support to ensure compliance.