MMDA urges public: Report traffic concerns via social media

Heavy traffic along Santolan area as workers from Department of Public Works and Highways workers conduct concrete reblocking at Nepa Q-Mart along Edsa, Quezon City, December 5, 2015. NINO JESUS ORBETA

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday launched a social media reporting campaign dubbed as “Netizens Watch,” which aims to encourage citizens to report traffic situations and obstructions in Metro Manila.

MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos said the social media reporting system aims “to muster the support of the public and private sectors in reporting to the agency all traffic obstructions on all roads in Metro Manila.”

Under the agency’s virtual complaint desk, motorists or the public can take photographs of traffic obstructions, including illegal vendors’ stalls, basketball courts, gambling tables and structures that block the sidewalk and unfinished road repairs, and post them on Twitter and tag @MMDA.

The agency said motorists could also access the MMDA Viber Hotline at 09061476975 to report the traffic obstructions.

MMDA said the “the report should include the name of the sender and the actual picture including the detailed location where the illegally parked vehicle or the obstruction was spotted and the time when it was taken.”

READ: MMDA: Illegal terminals on Edsa next

The MMDA Twitter and Viber teams will immediately verify all the information upon receipt of the report and forward it to the Agency’s Traffic Discipline Office (TDO) led by Director Crisanto Saruca.

Upon verification, Saruca would dispatch personnel to clear the area, or instruct contractors to patch the road diggings.

A moratorium on road repairs and excavations will start December 14.

READ: MMDA to put road works on hold for holiday season

MMDA said he TDO will also entertain complaints of extortion by erring traffic personnel, “vowing to stamp out bad eggs in the ranks especially during the Yuletide Season.”

“The composite team consists of MMDA and police personnel, [and] is scheduled to comb through the Mabuhay Lanes from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily to ensure the routes are free of traffic obstructions,” MMDA said.

–Nestor Corrales, CDG