President Arroyo announced yesterday that she has given Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando control and supervisory powers over the National Capital Region (NCR) office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) "so that there is only one plan, one boss" for troubleshooting the various traffic and road projects in the metropolis.
The President made her announcement at the first "Pulong Bayan" (town hall meeting) in Barangay Don Bosco in Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque City.
She said this decision was made in response to concerns raised by homeowners in the subdivision about the serious traffic congestion problem suffered by Parañaque City — a problem that covers most of the metropolis and is exacerbated by various ongoing DPWH road projects.
"I have placed the DPWH of Metro Manila under the supervision of Bayani so that there is only one boss," Mrs. Arroyo said.
The residents of Barangay Don Bosco sought the direct intervention of the President, asking her to bring an end to their daily Calvary of traffic gridlocks.
According to these homeowners, the daily traffic jams slow traffic to a snail’s pace — turning what should be a five-minute trip from Sucat exit to the Bicutan interchange into a 30-minute to hour-long procession.
The President said she has entrusted to Fernando the task of decongesting Metro Manila’s roads - one of the 10 "legacy" programs she unveiled in her June 30 inaugural address.
"I have given (Fernando) the task of drawing up the master plan on how to decongest traffic in Metro Manila," she said. "I would have him evaluate your request."
She added that she has "great trust" in Fernando, who was present at the town hall meeting.
Replying to the Parañaque residents’ complaints, Fernando said he has already begun consulting with homeowners’ association officials in the city in search of solutions to the traffic gridlocks.
Fernando said there are also "other plans, like the DPWH plans for a pedestrian overpass across the highway stretch."
Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe has sought the help of shopping mall tycoon Henry Sy, who owns the ShoeMart (SM) chain of shopping malls. Bernabe is asking Sy to construct pedestrian overpasses from Bicutan all the way to Doña Soledad Ave. through tax credit payments to the city government. The SM malls have a branch in Bicutan.
If Sy agrees to put up the requested pedestrian overpasses, Bernabe said, "what is needed is right of way from the Philippine National Construction Co. (PNCC)," which is a government-owned corporation.
Mrs. Arroyo congratulated Bernabe for his initiative and indicated her approval of his proposal.
Besides Fernando and Bernabe, Vice President Noli de Castro, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit and Parañaque City Reps. Roilo Golez and Ed Zialcita were also at the Pulong Bayan.