By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will formally launch on Monday a new system to provide motorists with real-time traffic information and updates.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the system, dubbed the Metro Manila Traffic Navigator, would allow motorists, who subscribed to the new technology, to receive and view on their cellular phone the latest information on the traffic situation along major roadways, including the 24-kilometer long Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA), the prime thoroughfare in the metropolis.

“We launch this new technology so it can help the motorist to have real-time updates on traffic situation they will receive once they subscribe,” Tolentino said.

“With this, also prevent the motorists to the road or streets were traffic and they have opportunity to take alternative routes to go their destination,” he said.

He said the project’s goal would be to provide the public with an accurate method of delivering traffic information and other road-related data in conjunction with the other information services offered by the agency.

Aside from traffic updates and news, the MMDA chief said subscriber may soon also start getting information and updates on flooding, including roadways and areas inundated with floodwaters, especially during times of heavy rains and bad weather.

Tolentino also said they might also use the feedback from the public to formulate traffic policies in Metro Manila.

The technology is among the innovations brought by the MMDA since last year when it launched its Twitter account http://twitter.com/MMDA to provide continuous online service to the public.

The MMDA’s Twitter team is composed of eight personnel working in three shifts to monitor and respond to all queries regarding traffic and flood situations all over the metropolis.

The public are also encouraged to help the agency by submitting traffic, flood reports and reporting vehicular accidents and road obstructions using the MMDA hashtag.

The Twitter account replaced the function of informing the public that was formerly carried out by the MMDA RTV (Radio and Television) which Tolentino abolished citing the government’s austerity measures.

He said the RTV cost the MMDA about P1 million a month.

Aside from its Twitter account, the agency also has its Facebook account at (http:/j.mp/MMDAFB and MMDA News Channel on Youtube (http:/www.youtube.com/user/MMDANews).

It has also redesigned its website at www.mmda.gov.ph to make it more accessible and user-friendly.