Officials of both the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) yesterday scrambled to their feet to carry out an order issued by President Arroyo for them to adopt stringent measures that would ease congested vehicular traffic caused by large public gatherings and special events in the metropolis.

In a meeting at the MMDA main office in Makati City, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando stressed the need for closer coordination among the MMDA, the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Security Group on matters concerning road closures and detours for local, religious, and international activities and assemblies or for VIP convoys and entourage.

"The President is very concerned that she ordered us to meet with our police authorities to minimize these traffic congestions brought about by these gatherings. What we’re asking from the police is that they should at least coordinate first with the MMDA when there are roads that would be closed or rerouted so we can make the appropriate adjustments," Fernando said.

The President’s directive to the three agencies came in the wake of reports that President Arroyo’s convoy was trapped in a monstrous traffic jam along Osmeña Blvd. while on her way to Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to address an international convention of foreign ministers held recently. The traffic at that time was at standstill at the peripheral areas of the PICC, from Pedro Gil in Manila to Roxas Blvd., up to Makati City.

Those who attended the MMDA meeting were NCRPO officer-in-charge Chief Supt. Roberto Rongavilla, Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Supt. Rodolfo Magtibay, Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele, Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Jaime Calungsod, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Supt. Elmo San Diego and Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao.

The PSG, in charge of the security of the president as well as those of visiting heads of states and diplomats, was represented in the meeting by its deputy commander Colonel Ivan Samarita.

Relaying President Arroyo’s concerns, Fernando required the district directors to submit a traffic plan to the MMDA in every major event or public assembly that would take place in their areas of operation (Aos).

"The MMDA is the clearinghouse for traffic concerns, not the local government unit. Matters related to traffic should be directly coordinated with us," Fernando explained.

Fernando particularly cited the location of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and PICC in Pasay City, regular hosts to numerous local and foreign conventions, meetings, fairs, and social events.

Fernando asked the SPD, which has jurisdiction over Pasay City, to establish their security outposts, inspection points, and parking areas at the inner perimeters of the PICC and CCP grounds, not along any part of Roxas Boulevard where it could obstruct traffic.

"We would also require the PICC and CCP management to submit their respective traffic plans to us so we will know what to do and what to coordinate with the local police," the MMDA added.

As to the PSG, Fernando asked Samarita if it would be possible to inform the agency of the President’s route in advance without putting the President’s safety at risk.

Samarita responded that the PSG had been regularly communicating with the MMDA. He added the President would not want any special treatment when travelling in the presidential convoy, as it would cause inconvenience to the motoring public.

Fernando also directed his traffic experts to take a more proactive role in coordinating with all agencies concerned so that there would not be a repeat of the Osmeña traffic incident.

"The problem gets doubly compounded when traffic becomes a security matter," he told MMDA traffic operations center chief Angelito Vergel de Dios.

Meanwhile, some insiders raised the possibility that because the MMDA was undermanned as a result of the early retirement some eighty five percent of its organic employees could be the main reason why it could not cope with increasing demand to ease vehicular traffic in Metro Manila.

The en mass early retirement, it was learned, happened during the chairmanship of Fernando whom they considered boorish and unpleasant to work with.

Although some of the retirees are still eager to work with the agency, they forgo the idea with Fernando still at the MMDA’s helm.