The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is preparing traffic adjustments along Marcos Highway following the severe gridlock that occurred last December 6, 2025. In a recent coordination meeting held at the MMDA Headquarters in Pasig, City, the agency met with traffic officials from Cainta, Antipolo, Marikina, and Pasig to identify measures that would prevent a repeat of the incident.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana presented the agency’s initial strategies to address congestion along the thoroughfare. He noted that these efforts support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for stronger coordination among local government units (LGUs) in managing major roads and implementing unified traffic policies.
MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director for Enforcement Victor Nuñez highlighted the importance of consistent regulations among LGUs that share jurisdiction over Marco Highway. He said the enforcement of a harmonized truck ban along the entire stretch would remove policy gaps that often disrupt traffic flow. Nuñez added that uniform rules would help ensure that motorists encounter the same restrictions and enforcement standards regardless of which boundary they enter.
The MMDA is also considering operational changes that would allow quicker adjustments during sudden congestion. One proposal involves replacing the concrete barriers at the Marcos Highway–Gil Fernando Avenue intersection with movable orange barriers. Nuñez explained that this would enable traffic teams to manually modify lane configurations and improve vehicle movement if a similar gridlock occurs.
In addition, the four LGUs have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the MMDA for stricter enforcement of anti-illegal terminal and anti-illegal vendor policies in the area. These measures aim to reduce roadside obstructions that contribute to bottlenecks that lead to massive traffic jams.
Officials from the MMDA and the concerned LGUs have conducted an ocular inspection last December 10, 2025 to further assess traffic conditions and determine additional adjustments or interventions. The agency attributed the cause of last weekend’s gridlock to a combination of heavy vehicle volume and counterflowing incidents.
