MMDA plans to provide emergency vehicles with special lanes

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to assign special lanes for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles along EDSA and other major thoroughfares by the first quarter of 2017.  

MMDA general manager Thomas Orbos said that fire trucks and ambulances should be able to pass through streets without any delays. However, these special lanes are not VIP lanes and can still be used by regular motorists with the caution for emergency incidents.

Orbos explained that traffic will be cleared in the designated lane only when there is an emergency incident. He further noted that traffic enforcers will be notified through the assistance of MMDA’s Metrobase during such incident.

Of note, emergency vehicles should seek accreditation from the MMDA in order to legally use the special lanes.

“We would like to reiterate that these special lanes must not be abused and must be utilized for truly emergency purposes,” Orbos said.

Moreover, the agency will also deploy its tow trucks to clear residential streets from illegally parked vehicles.