THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority has started painting pedestrian lanes near schools in the National Capital Region as part of its preparations for face-to-face classes for the next academic year.

Victor Nuñez, head of the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office-Enforcement, said the agency’s priority is the safety of students.

“We will have a meeting with the school administrators, Parent-Teacher Association and local traffic bureaus in the National Capital Region to discuss road safety checks in school zones,” Nuñez said.

“Let me emphasize that road safety is a shared responsibility. We will ensure that enforcement of traffic laws, in constant coordination with the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, are in place to keep tabs on motorists to protect the safety of vulnerable road users,” the official added.

The MMDA has a Children’s Road Safety Park in Adriatico, Manila so that children can better know and understand road safety.

Meanwhile, Transportation Undersecretary Mark Steven Pastor said that their primary advocacy is to enforce road safety laws.

“Children leave their houses and take public transportation to go to school. Hence, we have to protect them as we embark on the full implementation of face-to-face classes,” Pastor said.