QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- To help densely populated areas and to bring the agency’s services closer to the public, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), together with the Local Government of Makati, held yesterday its “Bayanihan sa Barangay” project at Brgy. Bangkal.

MMDA Acting Chair Atty. Don Artes, in a statement said, the project aims to raise public awareness on the importance of proper waste disposal.

MMDA personnel from different offices such as Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office, Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection Office, Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, and Traffic Engineering Center (TEC) conducted various activities and services such as drainage declogging, sidewalk clearing operations, painting of pedestrian lanes, installation of road signages, among others.

The MMDA also conducted orientation sessions on anti-smoking, anti-littering, solid waste management, disaster preparedness, and trash to cash programs.

In relation to this, Artes also said the agency have already submitted the names of individuals who will be part of the Tupad Program of the Department of Labor and Employment, and who will be deployed to the LGUs to assist with the declogging operations.

“The agency plans to conduct the “Bayanihan sa Barangay” project on all Metro Manila LGus,” said Artes.

Artes has called for the public's help in maintaining the cleanliness in their surroundings and to not throw their garbage indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, the MMDA TEC has recently recorded the highest vehicle volume count plying EDSA numbering to 425,890 vehicles from the previous high of 405,822 in 2019.

Even with the increase in volume of vehicles, Artes said the travel speed along EDSA has improved from 21.67 kph last January 2020 to 24.98 kph recorded last May 22 of this year.

The MMDA chief also said the number of motorcycle-related accidents has decreased tremendously along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City after the implementation of the motorcycle lane.

The implementation of Exclusive Motorcycle Lane along Commonwealth Avenue started last March 2023 to help reduce the number of fatal road crashes involving motorcycles and to improve traffic flow on the said road. (mmda/pia-ncr)