The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is offering free rides in the Pasig River Ferry Service until January 31.

This is in time for the relaunching of the Pasig River Ferry Service on Monday (December 9) which also aimed to lessen the heavy traffic in Metro Manila.

“With the anticipated heavy traffic as the holiday season approaches, there is no better time than now to see how Pasig River can help ease our traffic congestion problem,” MMDA Chairman Danny Lim said.

The Pasig River Ferry Service also has two additional boats that will begin operating on Monday. The additional boats can accommodate 57 passengers.

The schedule of the ferry service will be from Monday to Friday (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

OPERATIONAL FERRY STATIONS
-Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City
-San Joaquin, Pasig City
-Maybunga, Pasig City
-Guadalupe, Makati City
-Valenzuela, Makati City
-Hulo, Mandaluyong City
-Lambingan, Manila
-Sta Ana, Manila
-PUP, Manila
-Lawton, Manila
-Escolta, Manila

Authorities are currently discussing the fares for the Pasig River Ferry Service.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said the ferry service is one of the most convenient way to travel.

“Kung iyong mga kababayan namin na pupunta outside of Manila going to Pasig, one of the most efficient alternative way is sumakay ng ferry, (If our fellowmen who will travel outside Manila going to Pasig, one of the most efficient alternative way is to ride a ferry),” he said.—AAC (with reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.)

MANILA, Philippines – The Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme for vehicles in Metro Manila will be lifted starting 12 noon Tuesday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced.

The suspension of number coding was implemented amid continuing inclement weather brought about by Typhoon ‘Tisoy’ (international name: Kammuri).

Metro Manila is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 as ‘Tisoy’ continues to bring strong winds and heavy rains.

The state weather bureau has also issued a yellow rainfall warning over Metro Manila, Rizal and Cavite at 11 a.m., which means heavy rains are expected to be experienced in an hour and may continue in the next two hours.

Malacañang earlier announced the suspension of work in government offices and classes in all levels in Metro Manila due to rainy weather.

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Thursday reiterated it will not designate special lanes for the convoy of delegates for the 30^th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games being hosted in the country.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said convoys of SEA Games’ delegates will be escorted by Highway Patrol Group (HPG) units to ensure smooth travel to their billeting hotels, sporting venues and other areas of game engagements.

Convoy carrying delegates will use the yellow lane, flyover and underpasses while traveling along EDSA.

The MMDA earlier conducted a simulation for the stop-and-go scheme it will implement for the conduct of the SEA Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

“May escorts naman po ito ng mga HPG at kaya nga tayo nagkaroon ng simulation para matiyak natin anong oras ba dapat umalis yung ating mga bisita at atleta sa kanilang mga billeting hotels para makarating po on time sa philippine arena,so hindi na natin nakikita importansya ng pagkakaroon pa ng isang lane para lang po sa SEA Games,” Pialago said.

The agency earlier announced that the stop-and-go scheme will be implemented on both bounds of EDSA and northbound of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

“Whenever vehicles of delegates pass by these roads, all traffic will be stopped. Traffic will resume once delegates have gone through,” the MMDA said.

Road closures along Adriatico and P. Ocampo streets will also be enforced for the SEA Games starting 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 30.

The agency advised motorists to use alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic expected in the said areas as well as in North Luzon Expressway, Roxas Boulevard, Lawton, Taft Avenue, Mindanao Avenue and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

“Gaano ka-bad yung traffic? Wala ngang SEA GAMES mabigat na yung traffic 20 percent ang nadadagdag sa bilang ng mga sasakyan na dumadaan sa EDSA and the rest of Metro Manila, so magkakaroon po tayo ng stop-and-go scheme but then again we would like to assure the public that this would be less inconvenient para sa kanila,” Pialago said.

In anticipation of heavier traffic during SEA Games events, some schools in Metro Manila and nearby provinces have suspended classes from Dec. 2 to Dec. 7. Shopping malls also cancelled weekend sale.

The MMDA also urged spectators of the SEA Games not to bring vehicles and instead take the point-to-point buses which will be deployed in Metro Manila and other areas. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Joan Nano)