HPG to man EDSA gridlock

On a daily basis there are 1,000 brand-new cars added to Metro Manila, which contribute to the volume of vehicles particularly along EDSA

Starting Monday, the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will again man the stretch of EDSA to assist enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

This was announced by MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia yesterday, saying that HPG personnel will man traffic from Timog Avenue to Ortigas Avenue, northbound and southbound.

The enforcers under the wings of Task Force EDSA head Col. Bong Nebrija will be manning Timog Avenue up to North Avenue, Ortigas Avenue to Makati, all the way to Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Col. Emmanuel Tabuena of the HPG said they have a total of 171 personnel deployed along EDSA manning it in three shifts.

He said they will be strictly implementing the “No Kotong” policy as per the instructions of HPG chief, Gen. Eliseo Cruz.

“We will apprehend undisciplined motorists as this was the marching orders of our HPG director,” Tabuena said.

Garcia, on the other hand, brushed aside insinuations that the ongoing clearing operation of roads has no effect in the overall flow of traffic along EDSA.

He said the real problem of traffic congestion are the exits and entrances of local government units connected to EDSA.

“We are conducting continuous operations of roads, particularly national roads and Mabuhay lanes. As a result, the flow of traffic is moving; if not then we are not doing our job,” Garcia said.

He revealed that on a daily basis there are 1,000 brand-new cars added to Metro Manila, which contribute to the volume of vehicles particularly along EDSA and the other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

Historic moment The Spanish Navy ship Mendez Nuñez docks at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila for a three-day goodwill visit. This is the first time since the Battle of Manila Bay that a Spanish ship ventured into Manila’s waters.

BOB DUNGO JR. Friendly greeting Commander Antonio Gonzalez del Tanago de la Lastra, commanding officer of the Mendez Nuñez, shakes hands with Commander Kenneth Lozañes, representative of Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad of the Philippine Navy.