Heavy traffic expected on major roads

For many citizens, the Christmas break starts tomorrow. As such, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warns motorists of a possible holiday 'carmaggedon' this coming Friday, December 21.

The agency is expecting heavy traffic on Friday, citing travelers planning to either leave Metro Manila for their respective provinces or come into the city for the holidays. In addition, some alternate roads

It predicts traffic to slow down more than the usual holiday traffic, postulating that the usual 20-minute trip could take as long as 45-minutes. More specifically, it suggests average traffic flow on EDSA may slow down from its usual 19 km/h to 14 km/h. Traffic may be particularly heavy at the expected choke points on major thoroughfares such as EDSA, Balintawak, Cubao, Ortigas, Ayala and Buendia.

In order to avoid inconvenience, motorists are advised to take alternative routes and leave ahead of time in preparation for the possible 'carmaggedon'.

Nonetheless, the MMDA will be on full force to ensure road safety and convenience amid the holiday rush.

As for the Christmas break itself, MMDA announced that number coding for private vehicles will be suspended from December 24 to January 2, 2019. Meanwhile, coding for provincial buses will be suspended starting December 21 to January 2.