Makati gov’t holds traffic summit

The local government of Makati City, where 40 percent of the country’s registered motor vehicles pass through, will be holding a one-day traffic summit today to address the concerns of motorists, particularly the business community.

Joey Salgado of the Makati City Hall-Information and Community Relations Department (ICRD) admitted that business groups like their advisory body, the Makati Business Development Council (MBDC), has expressed concern over the traffic problem in the city.

"Over the years, traffic has been one of the mains concerns of business community such as the MBDC. They even formed their own traffic committee, headed by Brian Lane," Salgado said.

He added the summit had been proposed by the MBDC of the impact of the traffic situation on their productivity and how their business is being conducted.

Salgado added that traffic problem is an "urban center reality" that can be addressed through joint efforts by the government, private and transport sectors.

The traffic summit is part of the Makati 21 program, which intends to prepare and formulate correct strategies in the coming years, especially since the city is home to the country’s Central Business District (CBD).

About 40 percent or close to 800,000 vehicles ply the streets of Makati City everyday.

At the end of the conference, the local administration will come out with a New Makati City Traffic Code that will be fully implemented in harmony with existing transport and traffic rules and regulations. Participants plan to implement short, medium and long-term goals.

Salgado said one of the short-term targets is for the Makati Public Safety Office (Mapsa) to conduct seminars on basic traffic rules and road courtesy for some 200 traffic enforcers.

He added they have also coordinated with several tricycle and public jeepney drivers and operator groups to attend educational seminars. Private motorists, through the Philippine Motorists Association (PMA) and other organizations, would also be involved.

"We will also revive the one-way schemes, but I do not know yet if they will increase or lessen the number of one-way streets in Makati. But on Saturdays, we have allowed one-way streets to become two-way," he said.

For the medium term, they will take a closer look at major property developments in relation to its impact on traffic conditions. They will also make amendments on guidelines for road work projects.

Additional facilities such as sidewalks, covered walkways, pedestrian zones shall be provided to encourage people to walk as an alternative transport mode and to enhance transport integration.

On the long term plan for traffic engineering involves an integrated system called the Makati City Traffic Command Center. The city will create a Traffic Management Academy for traffic enforcers.

"Soon, we will require all enforcers to be academy graduates. We intend to professionalize Mapsa," Salgado said.