THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other government agencies strengthened preparations for All Saints' Day and the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in a coordination meeting on Wednesday.
"We are strengthening our preparations for Undas and the Asean Summit in coordination with our partner agencies and local government units to ensure public safety and the orderly movement of people and vehicles," MMDA Chairman Don Artes said.
"We urge the public to cooperate with our traffic personnel, follow traffic advisories, and plan their trips accordingly," Artes said.
The MMDA said in a statement that it would deploy 2,419 personnel "to manage traffic and provide public assistance around major cemeteries, including" the Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina, San Juan Public Cemetery, and Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Artes said MMDA enforcers are given hydration breaks. He added that by early 2027, the MMDA would be procuring T-shirts for enforcers' comfort.
"So expect that our enforcers soon will be wearing shorts and dry-fit shirts," he said in Filipino and English.
MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director Vic Nuñez "discussed additional safety measures, including provision of medical assistance, traffic rerouting, and emergency response arrangements," the agency said.
"We are also coordinating with the PDEA and PNP for surprise drug testing at selected bus terminals to help ensure the safety of commuters," Nuñez said, referring to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police.
The drug tests will be conducted among bus drivers and conductors, the MMDA said.
It added that its Road Emergency Group "will have ambulances and rescue vehicles on standby."
It also said that its Metro Parkways Clearing Group "will conduct cleanup operations around cemeteries from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3."
The MMDA said that for the Asean Summit, Artes and Carlos Sabarre of the National Organizing Committee "discussed traffic management measures," including the suspension of issuance of permits for public events like fun runs and processions from Oct. 24 to Nov. 20.
The restrictions would cover Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Makati and Taguig, according to the MMDA.
Partial restrictions would be implemented at the Philippine International Convention Center and Cultural Center of the Philippines starting Oct. 24, before a full lockdown starting on Nov. 7, the MMDA also said.
Road excavation works will be suspended from Nov. 1 to midnight of Dec. 23, to "minimize road disruptions during summit preparations and the Christmas season," the MMDA said.
Representatives from Metro Manila local government units, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the NoC, "utility companies, telecommunications providers, and other concerned agencies attended the meeting to coordinate operational plans and address existing concerns," the MMDA said.
