Concerts and other crowd-drawing events contribute to the worsening traffic in the metropolis, Metro Manila Development Authority acting chairman Thomas Orbos said Saturday.
The MMDA is now requiring organizers and establishments to notify the agency of the schedules of events in Metro Manila for traffic management and coordination.
“All events, regardless of where it may be in Metro Manila, even outside main roads, we are affected. I came out with a call for anyone, any group that will have an exercise that will affect traffic in their area to inform us,” said Orbos.
“Not asking that they need a permit from us, only to inform us so we can help out in traffic management. If it will result that the event might hinder traffic, we’ll ask them to reconsider [staging the event],” he added.
Orbos said this aims to ensure that an appropriate number of traffic personnel will be deployed to areas affected by events, such as fun runs, rallies, and concerts.
“Organizers and establishments [holding] such events must submit to us their comprehensive traffic management plan at least one week in advance for proper coordination and information dissemination, so as not to cause too much public inconvenience,” he said.
The MMDA decided to require a traffic management plan from event organizers following heavy traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue from Makati City to Quezon City last Tuesday, reportedly caused by a major Valentine’s Day concert held in Cubao.
Orbos said his agency was not notified of the event.
“[Organizers] should seek a permit,” Orbos added. “They have to at least now inform us so that we can help manage traffic. But if it really becomes a problem, and nobody cooperates with us, then we’ll ask the MMC [Metro Manila Council] that such events seek approval or permits from us.”
The MMDA chief pointed out their measure is not intended to restrict any event, as their main concern is the aspect of traffic management.
“We just want to keep vehicles moving, particularly along Edsa and its peripherals,” Orbos said.
The agency is considering penalizing organizers who will not comply with their request. Orbos added he will consult members of the MMC, the governing board and the policymaking body of the MMDA, on the matter.
“Right now, we don’t have a penalty, but it will lead to that later on. The council will say they need to inform us. Just like what happened last Valentine’s Day, affected was the whole Metro Manila,” he said.
Last year, the MMC issued Resolution Number 16-07, regulating the conduct of fun runs and other similar events along Roxas Boulevard. The MMDA favored the resolution, stressing that some fun runs are allegedly used by groups to earn money.