HPG: Armed cops helped improve EDSA traffic

MANILA, Philippines — There was a significant improvement in the flow of traffic along EDSA as armed police officers from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) started helping Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) constables enforce traffic rules, an official said yesterday.

Based on their assessment, HPG director Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz said the traffic flow along EDSA, especially on the southbound lane, vastly improved yesterday, when the HPG began assisting the MMDA.

Citing reports from field commanders, Cruz said the tailend of the traffic was at the Aurora underpass as of 10:30 a.m.

Col Christian Haveria, who heads the HPG’s National Capital Region office, said the tailend prior to their deployment would usually reach GMA-Kamuning, a difference of about a kilometer.

The traffic gridlock starts at Connecticut street, which is used by private motorists, in San Juan.

Haveria said they observed moderate traffic from the Ortigas flyover until the Shaw Boulevard underpass, moving slowly up to Makati City.

Asked what changes they made, Cruz said they just strictly implemented the yellow lane policy, wherein buses are confined to the two innermost lanes, leaving the three lanes for private vehicles.

The situation on the service lanes for city buses also improved due to the police officers’ strict implementation of the loading and unloading policy at bus stops.

Unlike before when buses stay for five minutes to pick up passengers at bus stops, Cruz said they strictly implemented the 30-second rule at loading and unloading bays.

“Kung dati nagtatagal ang mga bus sa loading and unloading bays, ngayon nahihila na sila (When buses used to linger at loading and unloading bays, they are now impounded),” Cruz said in a phone interview.

The presence of armed police officer has apparently deterred drivers of colorum or unregistered buses from passing through EDSA, he added.

The HPG has deployed nearly 200 personnel, including 25 policewomen, to help ease traffic along EDSA. They are working two shifts, from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.