HPG takesover on some parts of EDSA

PNP-HPG personnel previously assisted in manning the traffic at EDSA. (Photo courtesy of MMDA)

QUEZON CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA)—The Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) will take over on some parts of EDSA in a bid to reduce the traffic problem at the 23.8 kilometer highway.

Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Jojo Garcia said that the HPG led by HPG-NCR Traffic Enforcement Unit Chief Col. Emmanuel Tabuena will manage traffic from Timog Avenue to Ortigas Ave. starting 5am on Monday, September 9. They will still be assisted by 100 MMDA personnel.

The MMDA traffic enforcers, meanwhile, will man the traffic at EDSA Timog to Balintawak and Ortigas to Pasay.

Garcia also said that the HPG take over was done to take advantage of their authority. Under the law, they are mandated to contribute in crime prevention in addition to traffic enforcement.

“The HPG is a big help in instilling discipline to the motorists.” Garcia said in a press conference at the MMDA headquarters today.

He also cited that unlike HPG, the MMDA has no defense when its traffic enforcers are being mauled or hurt by hard-headed motorists.

Tabuena, for his part, said that they are 100% supportive of the need to discipline drivers who are “one of the factors of traffic problem along EDSA especially during rush hours.”

The HPG will man the traffic from 5am to 1am, to add to visibility of authorities on the road. They are also deputized to apprehend and issue citation tickets against erring motorists.

"We want to show that the government is full force to ease the burden of the riding public,” Garcia said. (PIA InfoComm/MMDA)