Mayo 27, 2007

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has bared its plan to intervene in the traffic situation in Cavite, particularly in the Bacoor area leading to Metro Manila.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said the agency, through its traffic engineers, already started formulating plans and traffic reduction schemes in the area.

He said the move is based on an order by President Arroyo, apart from the numerous complaints from motorists they have been receiving regarding the unbearable traffic jam in the area.

Fernando said the study they are now undertaking is necessary to determine what best traffic schemes can be applied in the area, including a re-routing plan that aims to decrease the number of vehicles passing through Bacoor on their way to Manila.

MMDA traffic personnel said the size of the national highway is no longer capable of accommodating the high volume of vehicles traversing Bacoor going to Metro Manila.

Fernando also disclosed that he is set to meet with Cavite Governor Ayong Maliksi, newly elected Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla and other provincial officials to discuss the issue of traffic.

This is not the first time that the MMDA was directed to extend its traffic management duties outside of Metro Manila.

In 2005, Cainta, Rizal mayor Ramon Ilagan sought the assistance of the MMDA in untangling the traffic gridlock along Ortigas Extension and Imelda Avenue, which are said to be the most traffic-prone areas in Cainta.

The MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways then teamed up in coordination with the Cainta government. They relocated traffic posts to more ideal spots aside from removing the center islands along Ortigas Avenue Extension.

It is reportedly possible for the MMDA to adopt some of the schemes it applied in the case of Cainta to Bacoor so that problem of traffic flow in this Cavite town, which is directly connected to Metro Manila, can be addressed.