PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. has ordered different agencies to submit their recommendations, along with measures on how to improve work productivity, amid the traffic problem in the country.
On his official Facebook page, the President said the traffic situation, along with the refining of economic plans for growth, inflation management, and budget optimization were on the agenda during the 16th Cabinet meeting yesterday.
“We’ve instructed agencies to gather more data on easing Metro Manila traffic congestion while prioritizing workforce productivity,” Marcos said.
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Director General and Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, in a briefing in Malacanang, said the President wants a whole of government approach to handle the traffic problem.
“The President gave instructions to everyone to submit their recommendations, how their respective offices will adjust and configure their work environment. But what the President really wants is a comprehensive, holistic approach to solving the traffic problem — not a piecemeal approach as has been the case all these years,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.
Balisacan said one measure is the use of an intermodal transport system.
“For example, in the planning of our transport system, we should be looking at intermodal transport system…they operate efficiently as a whole,” he said.
He said the government is currently building a subway, several expressways, and even bridges that would connect provinces from the north such as Bataan to the south such as Cavite.
“But these have to be seen in the context of all the other transport systems including bike lanes, motorcycle lanes like that and as well as feeder roads and including the location of industries, residences and so on. So, the whole system, it cannot be just seen as a, on a piecemeal basis,” he added.
A study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said traffic congestion in Metro Manila costs the Philippine economy at least P3.5 billion per day, or 1.27 trillion pesos annually.
ROAD REPAIRS
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority advised the public of possible traffic build-up in the metropolis starting tomorrow due to the road reblocking and repairs to be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said the 24-hour road reblocking and repairs will last until either April 10 or 11.
“We will only allow DPWH to conduct 24-hour road repairs which they commit to finish on time and implement properly in the same manner as they implemented it during last Holy Week’s road repairs,” Artes said in a press briefing at the agency’s main office in Pasig City.
Among the areas to be repaired are Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City (from Commonwealth Avenue going C-5); Bonny Serrano Avenue in Quezon City (corners of 15th Ave. and 20th Ave.); EDSA Northbound Mandaluyong (Apo Street to Pioneer St.); EDSA Southbound Mandaluyong (after Gate 4 to EDSA Shrine); 5. Roxas Boulevard Northbound Pasay (between Lourdes St. and Vicente Sotto St.);
Roxas Boulevard Northbound Manila (between Remedios St. and Pasaje del Carmen St.); Roxas Boulevard EDSA Flyover Southbound Pasay (bridge approach, outer and inner lane); IBP — San Mateo Road Quezon City (fronting Robinson Easymart to Jollibee, 1st lane from center); Luzon Avenue Southbound Quezon City (Congressional Ave. Extension to before Luzon Flyover, 1st lane from center); Mindanao Avenue Northbound Quezon City (Uno Fuel to Chinabank, truck lane);
Payatas Road Quezon City bound to Batasan Road (before Maynilad Pumping Station to G3 Center, outer lane); Payatas Road Quezon City bound to Batasan Road (Batasan Rd. to Bayanihan St. / Samar St. to Leyte St., outer lane); G. Araneta Avenue Quezon City (Wayan St. to Mauban St., 1st lane from sidewalk), and Payatas Road Quezon City (Singko St. to Samar St., inner lane)
Artes also assured the public that necessary traffic management will be implemented as soon as the DPWH starts the retrofitting of the EDSA Kamuning flyover southbound lane on April 25. The repair will last for 11 months.
“We will coordinate with the Quezon City local government unit, DPWH, Quezon City Police District, Highway Patrol Group, and the barangays to manage the traffic. We will divert the traffic so that motorists can avoid the certain portion that will be subject to re-decking,” Artes said.
He said the retrofitting of the Kamuning Flyover is necessary to avoid further damage and keep it structurally sound and ready in case of disasters such as earthquakes.
“The re-decking of the flyover cannot be deferred. We assure the public that we will manage the traffic in such a way that the impact of the repair is minimal to the motorists,” he said, adding that before the retrofitting works start, the MMDA will intensify clearing operations in areas within the vicinity.
“This is to make sure that roads serving as alternate routes are clear and obstruction-free to minimize the effects of the repairs in traffic,” he said. — Ashzel Hachero
