MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday urged the public to be more patient and understanding over the worsening traffic in Metro Manila.
In a speech at the Rizal Technological University in Mandaluyong City, Aquino said the government continues to address the traffic situation but he cited the constraints imposed by limited road space, legal issues and long implementation periods for major mass transit and infrastructure projects.
"Aaminin ko po: lahat ng problema, gusto nating tugunan—at kung puwede, nagawa na sana natin ito kahapon pa. Pero may mga limitasyon sa kung ano ang maaari nating gawin, at hindi naman puwedeng agad-agad ang pagpapatupad sa isang hakbang," Aquino said.
He appealed for more patience and understanding and called on the citizenry to work with government in implementing practicable solutions that will help ease the traffic congestion problem in Metro Manila.
"Nagsisikap nga tayong tugunan ang lahat ng kayang tugunan, at ang panawagan ko po: Makiisa at dagdagan ang pang-unawa at pasensiya. Sa inyo namang pakikiambag, masisiguro nating sabay-sabay tayong uunlad," the president said.
Aquino said that he is expecting soon the presentation of proposals from various concerned government agencies and stakeholders such as the implementation of an "odd-even" traffic scheme.
"Ang pinakaradikal dito ay hatiin ang bilang ng bumibiyaheng sasakyan — salitan ang pagbabaybay ng odd at even na plaka sa ating mga kalsada kada linggo," Aquino said.
"Pihadong luluwang ang trapik dahil kalahati ng sasakyan ang mawawala, pero sigurado pong marami na namang aalma dahil hindi magagamit ang kotse nila," he added.
The president noted that traffic in Metro Manila also continues to worsen because of the increasing number of vehicles.
He said that according to the Department of Trade and Industry, over 22,400 new cars are being sold every month.
There were also about 1.2 million new motorcycles in 2014.
"Ang resulta po: Siyempre, lalong siksikan sa kalsada. At natural, dahil sa trapiko, ang sasakyan at motorsiklo na pinag-ipunan mo nang husto, mas mabilis malalaspag dahil nakababad lang sa karbon," he said.
In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has been conducting consultations with various stakeholders to integrate action proposals from the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Philippine National Police.