MANILA, Philippines - As traffic chaos continues to bedevil Metro Manila, Malacañang assured the public yesterday that concerned government agencies are coordinating with one another to address the problem.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is working hand in hand with the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and local government units to find solution to the problem, seen by many as a major issue in the coming elections.
“We’re trying hard to ease congestion along major roads. The MMDA, PNP-HPG and local traffic enforcement units are working together to smoothen traffic flow and enforce traffic laws,” he said in Filipino at a news briefing.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda and his deputy Abigail Valte have called on motorists and commuters to have more patience and understanding as traffic gridlock appears to worsen each day, especially during rush hours and after each heavy downpour.
“The traffic situation is an issue that we continue to address. There have been a number of ongoing infrastructure projects and all of us are affected by it and we have asked the public for their understanding and patience,” Lacierda said.
Apology
Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, meanwhile, apologized to the public yesterday for dismissing the traffic problem as “not fatal” anyway.
“I extend my deepest apologies to the public, for an off-the-cuff statement made earlier in the week, which understandably came across as reckless and insensitive,” Abaya said in a statement forwarded to Palace reporters by Lacierda.
“I am aware that what I said has only added to the frustration and the suffering of the public. I am profoundly sorry for this,” Abaya said.
“With this apology, I wish to assure the public that we are well aware of the situation we all face every day,” the former Cavite congressman said.
“Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power and exerting the maximum effort to ease traffic in Metro Manila and the surrounding areas. Some of these solutions will take time,” he added.
Abaya nevertheless repeated his calls for commuters and motorists to bear with the temporary inconvenience brought about by ongoing infrastructure projects intended to ease traffic congestion. – With Marvin Sy, Paolo Romero