Traffic congestion in Mandaue City has intensified significantly as the December holiday season reaches its peak, driven by a surge in shopping and festive activities. This was confirmed by Hyll Retuya, the department head of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team).
Holiday Rush Clogs Key Roads
Hyll Retuya explained that the increased traffic is a direct result of the Christmas season, with more residents and visitors heading out to malls and event venues. "It's understandable because it's December and the Christmas season. We see that people are going out, perhaps because they have more resources for spending," Retuya stated. This has led to noticeably heavier traffic, particularly during the traditional morning and evening rush hours.
He emphasized that even during what are normally off-peak periods, traffic continues to build up due to the sustained holiday rush. However, Retuya assured that Team is actively on the ground to manage the situation. "Our personnel are always on site. That's our instruction, especially now with Christmas and New Year approaching," he said.
Mall Vicinities Are Major Bottlenecks
The areas surrounding shopping centers are experiencing some of the worst congestion, as parking lots quickly fill to capacity. Retuya identified key trouble spots including UN Avenue, MC Briones Street, the area near Pacific Mall, Highway Seno, and AC Cortes Avenue. "These are the areas where traffic gets really heavy, especially those near malls and department stores," he noted.
In response, Team has strategically deployed additional personnel and mobile assets to these high-traffic zones to ensure a swift response to any incidents and to keep vehicles moving. "We have reinforced our personnel, especially in the malls, where we have a lot of personnel. Our mobile patrol units are also very visible in these areas," Retuya added.
Team's Strategy for the Festive Season
To maintain adequate staffing during this critical period, Team has discouraged its personnel from taking leave. The agency has also implemented adjustments in duty hours to accommodate special community events like the early morning Misa de Gallo (Dawn Masses).
Some personnel have shifted their schedules to monitor and manage the early morning traffic generated by these religious observances. "Our main goal is to ensure that no road is left without personnel. That's what we are aiming for so we can manage the traffic congestion," Retuya concluded, outlining the agency's commitment to mitigating the seasonal gridlock.
