For motorists who regularly use Marcos Highway, heavy traffic is nothing new. The major route connecting Metro Manila to Rizal has long been one of the more notorious traffic corridors in the area, with a bad day on the road easily turning a routine trip into an hours-long ordeal.

Now, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and four local government units are trying to tackle the problem together.

The MMDA, Pasig City, Marikina City, Antipolo City, and Cainta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate traffic and transport management along Marcos Highway.

The agreement aims to establish a more unified approach to dealing with traffic congestion, road obstructions, and other problems along the busy corridor, which passes through their respective jurisdictions.

Under the MOU, the MMDA and participating LGUs will conduct continuous clearing operations along Marcos Highway, targeting illegally parked or stalled vehicles, unauthorized terminals and structures, as well as ambulant vendors and peddlers occupying sidewalks and other public spaces.

The agencies will also work to keep Marcos Highway adequately manned and supervised. The four LGUs will provide additional traffic personnel along local roads connecting to the highway, subject to available manpower and resources.

MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes led the signing at the MMDA Headquarters in Pasig City, joined by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Marikina Mayor Maan Teodoro, Cainta Mayor Keith Nieto, and Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro Ynares III.

According to the MMDA, the push for closer coordination came after a particularly bad traffic incident on Marcos Highway, more than 8 months ago.

On December 6, 2025, motorists faced a traffic standstill that lasted nearly six hours, with some remaining stuck until the early hours of December 7.

The incident prompted the MMDA and traffic management officials from Antipolo, Cainta, Marikina, and Pasig to meet on December 9 to discuss possible adjustments and measures to prevent a repeat.

The real test, however, will be consistent traffic management on the ground, particularly at U-turn slots where turning vehicles often occupy multiple lanes and block traffic flow, at illegal terminals, and along the sections where vehicles merge to and from Felix Avenue.