PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) said Friday it is ready to assist in traffic management and peace and order operations as the rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) continues. PNP chief LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force is coordinating closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to help manage traffic flow and address security concerns during the implementation of the project. Rehabilitation works, which include concrete reblocking and asphalt overlaying, began at 11 p.m. on Dec. 24. Traffic congestion was already observed the following day along sections of EDSA, one of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfares that accommodates hundreds of thousands of vehicles daily. Nartatez said the PNP’s deployment forms part of the government’s broader effort to ensure public safety and reduce inconvenience to motorists and commuters. “We expect heavy traffic, and we are ready to assist in terms of manpower for traffic management and other peace and order-related concerns, including road rage that could be prevented with the visible presence of our personnel,” Nartatez said. He explained that while the MMDA and local government units will field their own traffic enforcers, the PNP’s territorial units and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) are on standby to serve as augmentation forces. These units may be positioned along EDSA and major alternative routes to help regulate traffic and respond to incidents. The PNP will also place rapid deployment teams on standby to respond to road accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and other emergencies that could further worsen congestion during the rehabilitation period. In addition, Nartatez said the police force will maximize the use of closed-circuit television cameras, traffic sensors, and traffic monitoring applications to assess congestion levels and issue timely advisories to the public. Motorists were advised to monitor official PNP and MMDA channels for real-time traffic updates and to plan their trips based on the DPWH’s rehabilitation schedule. Nartatez said the PNP remains committed to supporting government infrastructure projects while maintaining public safety and easing the daily commute throughout the duration of the EDSA rehabilitation.