Metro mayors bat for better coordination with HPG

MANILA, Philippines - As the traffic management function of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) is now expanding away from EDSA, the mayors of Metro Manila are calling for a more harmonious relationship with it, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino said on Thursday.

Tolentino attended a meeting held at the Manila Yacht Club between the HPG and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) to thresh out plans to resolve the traffic woes of Metro Manila. The MMC us the policy-making arm of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

“Mas harmonious relationship ang gusto ng Metro Manila Council sa pinapatupad ng PNP-HPG. Ang bagong patakaran ay ipinaliwanag para mas maayos ang pagpapatupad sa EDSA,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino said the mayors of Caloocan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Makati and Pasig have requested for better coordination as traffic flows to and from EDSA to streets covered by their respective jurisdictions.

“Sila (LGUs) 'yung ka-dialogue ng PNP-HPG at sa palagay matapos ang pagpupulong na ito magandang ugnayan ang kapulisan at bawat LGUs maging maayos ang daloy o pagpapatupad ng traffic hindi lang sa EDSA pati sa kanilang lugar,” said Tolentino.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos who also attended the meeting congratulated HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao for helping ease the heavy traffic volume on EDSA.

However, Abalos is also calling for a better working relationship with the HPG especially in dealing with traffic that enter secondary roads from EDSA.

“I congratulate General Gunnacao. Napakaganda ng kanyang ginagawa pero ang aking punto magkaroon ng cooperation para mahamornize ang EDSA pero hindi dapat tayo nakapunto sa EDSA yung secondary roads katulad ng Shaw Boulevard humahaba ang traffic namin sa Crossing minsan hanggang sa dulo na ng Maynila,” he said.

Abalos suggested that should the HPG implement a new traffic directive, such as road closures, the concerned mayors of the affected areas should be notified. Abalos however stressed that the MMC is in full support of the HPG.

“Baka pwedeng informed all the mayors para magkaroon ng signage para makatulong kami maaga pa lang maimpormahan na ang publiko na huwag dumaan dito dahil isasara ito ng HPG otherwise magkabuhol buhol. Gusto ko lang sabihin na i-harmonize ang traffic policy. Maganda ang intensiyon ng bawat isa kung magkanya–kanya. Mabigat pero kami po handa tumulong handang tumulong sa HPG,” he said.

The mayors of Metro Manila also said they would like the government to extend the presence of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) on EDSA until the Christmas season.

Gunnacao said the mayors want the extension.

“Na-explain ko paano napaluwag yung EDSA na-explain ko ang participation ng pulis,  LGUs at ibang sectors. Eventually humihingi sila ng extension. They are making a resolution to extend HPG services. It depends on the president’s decision but the mayors want na hanggang Christmas,” said Gunnacao.