MMDA, LGUs to ease traffic around NAIA with new scheme

MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and traffic enforcers from Parañaque City and Pasay City have agreed on a deployment scheme to ease congestion around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) complex.

Representatives from the MMDA and the local governments of Pasay and Parañaque met with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) last week to discuss how to manage and direct traffic around the airport.

In a press statement, the MIAA said airline passengers have expressed worry about missing their flights because of the worsening traffic situation due to the ongoing NAIA Expressway project.

The P15.4-billion ($349.17 million) NAIA expressway project aims to link the 3 main terminals of the country’s main airport, as well as some casino and entertainment complexes being developed in the area.

MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado has asked government agencies to deploy more traffic personnel around the airport.

“The MIAA might not be able to hasten the construction of the expressway – which is slated for completion two years from now. However, together with agencies concerned, we can ease traffic flow especially for those going to and coming from the airport,” he said.

Based on the deployment scheme, the airport police department will handle traffic flow in the immediate vicinity of the 4 airport terminals. The MMDA and local government units are in charge of the major thoroughfares around the NAIA complex.

The deployment scheme is as follows:

• Ninoy Aquino Avenue – MMDA and Parañaque Traffic
• MIA Road – MMDA
• Domestic Road – MMDA
• Andrews Avenue – MMDA and Pasay Traffic
• Sales Avenue – MMDA and Pasay Traffic

Meanwhile, Honrado also asked motorists picking up passengers at the airport to use the designated parking areas and avoid waiting at the curbside areas of the terminal or along the streets. – Rappler.com