AS part of its preparation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to deploy 2,300 traffic enforcers and personnel during the long holiday break in commemoration of the All Soul’s and All Saint’s Days.

MMDA assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos said that the agency is expecting a heavy turn-out of vehicles plying the major thoroughfares as early as October 25.

He projected that more people might take advantage of the long holiday break to visit their loved ones in the provinces in time for the commemoration of All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days.

Malacañang has declared October 26 as a regular holiday to celebrate Eid’l Adha or the start of the Islamic Pilgrimage to Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“It would be a long weekend before Undas. Tiyak marami ang mag-aavail ng leave dahil sa mahabang bakasyon, October 25 pa lang ng hapon tiyak na magsisimula nang pumunta sa kanilang probinsiya ang marami [More people might avail of their leave because of the long holiday vacation, they might start going to the provinces as early as October 25 afternoon],” he told radio dzBB.

Because of this, Carlos said that the MMDA would deploy 2,300 traffic enforcers and personnel not only to regulate traffic but also to help in the cleaning of public cemeteries in the metropolis.

He said that the MMDA is also expecting heavy traffic in areas where bus terminals are situated such as Malibay in Pasay City, Sampaloc in Manila, and Cubao in Quezon City.

And as part of its contingency plan, Carlos said that they would be opening alternative routes.

For her part, MMDA Gen. Manager Corazon Jimenez said that the agency “will be issuing traffic advisory much ahead of time” with regard to the opening of alternate routes or Mabuhay lanes.

She said that they have also started inspecting some public cemeteries in Metro Manila in preparation for the commemoration of All Soul’s and All Saint’s Days.