180 HPG men to be deployed on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has again tapped the help of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in addressing traffic gridlocks on EDSA and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

During a meeting with MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. yesterday, Lt. Col. Joshua Alejandro, head of the HPG Metro Manila office, agreed to deploy around 180 police officers to man traffic along EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue.

Alejandro said uniformed HPG members would be deployed along EDSA, especially during rush hours.

The MMDA will hire additional traffic enforcers, according to Abalos.

To date, the agency has 2,187 traffic enforcers. Of the figure, Abalos said 25 percent are senior citizens who are not allowed outdoors amid the pandemic.

Abalos also announced that the MMDA has allocated funding to build elevated ramps for the EDSA busway system.

He said the plan would be discussed with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.