The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has escalated its efforts to combat illegal parking on Mabuhay Lanes, aiming to assist private motorists avoid heavy traffic when traveling to and from shopping malls and other commercial establishments this holiday season.
The Mabuhay Lanes are alternative routes to the 23.8-kilometer EDSA. These cover the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Manila, and Quezon City. It also includes secondary roads going to shopping destinations in Metro Manila such as Baclaran in Parañaque, Greenhills in San Juan, Divisoria, and Carriedo in Manila.
These lanes shorten the travel time of motorists during the holidays, when traffic flow is expected to be heavy.
The MMDA has implemented stricter enforcement measures, including the deployment of additional personnel to monitor these areas. By doing so, the agency hopes to create a smoother flow of traffic, ensuring a more pleasant experience for both drivers and shoppers alike.
All illegally parked motor vehicles will be towed away, and violators will be apprehended and slapped with corresponding fines and penalties.
On Tuesday, members of the MMDA Special Operations Group-Task Force for Road Clearing (SOG-TFRC) carried out clearing operations in the Mabuhay Lanes and several complaint areas in Quezon City.
The operation targeted the areas of Panay Avenue, Sct. Borromeo, Sct. Tobias, Sct. Chuatoco, Sct. Santiago, Kamuning, Kamias, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago Avenue, and Mabilis Street. This resulted in the apprehension of 106 vehicles, with 23 of these being impounded.
Owners of illegally parked vehicles were slapped with a fine of P1,000, while unattended illegally parked vehicles faced a P2,000 fine.
During these operations, makeshift stores, encroachments, and other obstructions that hindered traffic flow were also cleared away.
According to SOG-TFRC chief Gabriel Go, the intensified road clearing operation is a definitive sign that the MMDA "will no longer accept indiscipline on our roads."
"Similar enforcement actions will continue in other areas of Metro Manila to restore order on major thoroughfares," he said.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said these operations are part of the MMDA's traffic mitigation measures for the holidays.
Shopping mall owners and operators in Metro Manila have also implemented adjusted operating hours for their establishments. These malls will open at 11 a.m. and will remain operational until closing time, which is set for 11 p.m.
Artes keeps reminding motorists to adhere to traffic laws and avoid treating Mabuhay Lanes, secondary roads, and sidewalks as parking areas. He also asked the public to help by reporting illegally parked vehicles, vendors, and other blockages.