MERRY CHRISTMAS STREAMERS GREET PASSENGERS AT NAIA / XMAS LANES ADVISORY
MANILA, DECEMBER 5, 2010 (STAR) By Evelyn Macairan - Streamers, not airport personnel, would greet arriving and departing passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) this holiday season.
Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said it was initially in jest when he told dzRH anchor Joe Taruc in an interview yesterday morning that he would be putting up holiday streamers at the NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, but he later realized that this is actually a bright idea.
"Come Monday, we would already install 'Merry Christmas' streamers at the arrival and departure areas of the three NAIA terminals," Alvarez said.
The strategy was thought of by the Bureau of Customs to discourage their personnel assigned at the NAIA from greeting the travelers this holiday season, which is often perceived to be a subtle way of asking for gifts or money.
Alvarez said with the streamers, the BOC would still be able to spread holiday cheer without worrying about a possible extortion racket.
"With the BOC, Christmas greetings have a different implication," Alvarez said, adding that while there are workers who are simply being polite to the passengers, there are also those who use their greetings as a way to hint for Christmas presents, money or token.
The Customs chief, however, was quick to stress that this practice has already been broken because up until yesterday morning, he hasn't received any extortion complaint against BOC personnel.
MMDA issues advisory on Christmas lanes By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) Updated December 05, 2010 12:00 AM
[PHOTO - Cars on Roxas Boulevard drive past the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas building decorated with neon lights as part of its annual Christmas display. VAL RODRIGUEZ]
MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has determined alternative routes for private motorists who want to avoid the traffic jams along EDSA this Yuletide season.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the so-called "Christmas lanes" in the north and south entry points of EDSA will be cleared of obstructions next week. Traffic enforcers will be designated in the alternative routes to manage traffic.
Southbound motorists coming from north of Metro Manila may take the MacArthur Highway, turn right at Samson Road in Caloocan, take C-4/Letre Road, then R-10 at A. Bonifacio Avenue in Port Area, at Roxas Boulevard.
Motorists coming from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) can make an exit at the newly constructed Mindanao Avenue access ramp, turn right Mindanao Ave., left to Congressional Avenue, right at Tandang Sora Avenue, cross the Commonwealth Avenue flyover, take Katipunan Avenue, then C-5 road.
From Araneta Avenue (C3), motorists can turn right at Aurora Blvd, take Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., take a left at Nagtahan, then take Quirino Avenue, then left at the South Super Highway to destination.
From West Avenue, turn right at Quezon Avenue, take a U-turn near Scout Magbanua, right at Roces Avenue, a right at Tomas Morato, right at E. Rodriguez, left at Gilmore, and right at N. Domingo. They would then turn left at Pinaglabanan, turn right at P. Guevarra, right at Shaw Blvd., left at Nueve de Pebrero at Maysilo and the Mandaluyong Makati Bridge.
From Roosevelt, motorists are advised at make a right turn at Quezon Avenue, a U-turn after G. Araneta, right turn at Aurora Blvd., Magsaysay Blvd., left at Nagtahan, President Quirino, left at South Superhighway.
Northbound vehicles from the Coastal Road Expressway, motorists are advised at go straight at Roxas Blvd, at R-10, take a right at C-4, take Samson Road at their destination.
From the South Luzon Expressway, motorists are advised at exit at C-5, take Katipunan, take Tandang Sora, make a U-turn at Congressional Avenue and then make a right at Mindanao Avenue.
From Makati at Quezon City, motorists can take the Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge, right at Francisco Street, at Maysilo, Nueve de Pebrero, left at Shaw Blvd., right at Wilson, left at Ortigas Ave. at Granada Street, then at Hemady. Then a right at E. Rodriguez, left at Tomas Morato, left at Kamuning, at their destinations.
Tolentino said private motorists used these routes during the construction of the EDSA Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 line in the late '90s.
"Our objective is for private motorists to bypass EDSA and reduce traffic volume along it," he said.
Toentino said the MMDA will install directional signs along the lanes to guide motorists.
He said that if proven effective, the routes remain open after the Christmas season.
He stressed that only private motorists can use the lanes. The number coding scheme on private vehicles remains enforced in the alternative routes.
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