THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local governments of Pasig, Marikina, Antipolo and Cainta have agreed to adopt a unified approach to addressing traffic congestion, road obstructions and other traffic concerns along Marcos Highway.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes led the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig City.
He was joined by Pasig Mayor Victor Ma. Regis ‘Vico’ Sotto, Marikina Mayor Marjorie Ann ‘Maan’ Teodoro, Cainta Mayor Johnielle Keith Nieto and Antipolo Mayor Casimiro Ynares III.
The agreement seeks to improve coordination in managing Marcos Highway, which traverses several local government jurisdictions.
Under the MOU, the MMDA and participating LGUs will continuously clear their respective portions of Marcos Highway of obstructions, including illegally parked or stalled vehicles, unauthorized terminals and structures, and ambulant vendors and peddlers occupying sidewalks and other public spaces that impede traffic.
The parties also committed to ensuring that Marcos Highway is adequately manned and supervised at all times.
The LGUs will likewise deploy sufficient traffic personnel along local inner roads connecting to Marcos Highway, subject to the availability of personnel and resources.
‘The portion of Marcos Highway within Pasig is only about 70 meters. We are very thankful to the MMDA, especially under the leadership of Chairman Artes, for this initiative,’ Sotto said.
Teodoro said the agreement would help improve coordination among the different jurisdictions.
‘This is a good effort to unify traffic management. It would be a great help for Marikina,’ she said.
Nieto welcomed the initiative and thanked the MMDA for taking the lead, while Ynares said Antipolo was ‘more than willing to be part of a unified system.’
The agreement was prompted by severe traffic congestion along Marcos Highway on Dec. 6, 2025, when motorists were caught in a standstill lasting nearly six hours, with some delays stretching into the early hours of Dec. 7.
Following the incident, officials of the MMDA and traffic management heads of Antipolo, Cainta, Marikina and Pasig met on Dec. 9 to discuss traffic adjustments and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Through the agreement, the MMDA and the four LGUs committed to a more coordinated and responsive traffic management system along the major thoroughfare.
The initiative also supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for stronger coordination between national agencies and local governments in addressing traffic congestion and improving mobility and transportation services.