The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) declared its full readiness for the June 8 opening of classes under Balik-Eskwela 2026, deploying personnel to manage traffic and control crowds across Metro Manila.
MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III stated that operational adjustments have been implemented to ensure smoother traffic flow around academic institutions, with personnel concentrated in high-density school zones during peak hours.
Beyond manual traffic management, the agency has refurbished lane markings, traffic signs, and signal lights near campuses, while boosting its electronic surveillance.
“Kung anong nakikita niyong deployment, yun nga lang, mag-shift siguro. Ang iba ay nag-shift na sa mga malalapit muna sa eskwelahan,” Torre explained.
“Pag umaga at mag-rush hour at nakita natin na dito sa opening, na-anticipate na natin. May mga minamap l-out na kami sa iba-ibang mga lugar, lalo na yung mga high population ng mga eskwelahan. Doon may tutok rin tayo ng mga tao natin.”
“Tapos kasama na ngayon dyan, pinaigtingin natin yung ating technical, technological monitoring. May mga CCTVs, may mga additional tayong inilagay dyan. Tapos may mga NCAP, tapos mga signages.”
Confronting the challenges of the rainy season, the MMDA has readied mobile assets and checked flood-control pumping stations. Local government units like Malabon City have also cleared local waterways to mitigate flooding risks, urging parents to stay vigilant.
“Maging alerto po tayo. Lagi pong nakaantabay sa mga nagaganap sa ating paligid. Kung kinakailangan po na huwag papasukin ‘yong mga anak natin kung kinakailangan dahil delikado na, huwag na po nating hintayin na magkaroon pa ng insidente,” advised Roderick Tongol, head of the Malabon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Data from the Department of Education shows that student enrollment for School Year 2026–2027 has exceeded 26 million, marking a slight increase from the 25 million enrollees recorded the previous year.