MMDA conducts clearing operations and traffic management in Commonwealth Avenue

MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted a clearing operation at Litex Market in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Wednesday evening. 

The operation was conducted three days after the start of the implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) in the metro. 

MMDA Special Operations Group- Strike Force (SOG-SF) head Gabriel Go said that they have been receiving complaints about ambulant vendors obstructing the outer lanes of the said road, which is one of the main thoroughfares in Quezon City. 

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Officials and personnel from the Quezon City Traffic and transport management department (TTMD) were also present during the operation. 

"So what we are trying to mitigate here are yung complaints na yung mga kababayan natin na naglalakad ay napupunta na sa kalsada, and then yung mga vendors po natin instead po nagtitinda sa tamang lugar napupunta na po tayo almost to the middle of the road, to the extent na kinakain na po pati yung motorcycle lane po natin," said Go. 

No violators were ticketed during the operation. 

"For now, wala po muna, this will serve as another stern warning for our vendors na lumalagpas po kung saan sila puwedeng  magtinda, yung mga lumalagpas sa kalsada hampering the flow of traffic, hampering the safety ng ating mga pedestrians," said Go. 

But Go warned that repeat violators will be penalized in future operations. 

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"Dalawang option lang yan, either we issue them an environmental ticket or obstruction or we will confiscate yung mga obstruction nila tulad ng mga la mesa," Go added. 

Meanwhile, MMDA authorities issued traffic violation tickets to around 4 public utility vehicle drivers (PUV) who were caught obstructing the outerlanes in Commonwealth Avenue during the rush hour traffic at around 7:00 p.m.