Recto: Government must have long-term solutions to traffic woes

MANILA, Philippines - Apart from reducing the number of buses plying the roads of Metro Manila, Sen. Ralph Recto said yesterday the government should also look at medium and long-term solutions to the traffic mess in the metropolis.

According to Recto, one of the projects the government can start working on is the development of “a new EDSA,” an elevated highway that would run through the Philippine National Railway’s line – there would be no need to spend for the road right-of-way so construction could start right away.

“Within three years we can develop a new EDSA. You have to make Metro Manila work because if Metro Manila works, we would have a model that the rest of the country can emulate,” Recto said.

He also cited the importance of completing the 64-kilometer C-6 Road that will run from Marilao, Bulacan, through Montalban, San Mateo, Antipolo, Angono and Taytay in Rizal, Taguig City, Alabang, Muntinlupa, and then to Bacoor, Imus, Kawit and Noveleta in Cavite.

A third project that Recto said should be prioritized is the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway connection.

“There must be a sense of urgency here in our country so that the economy will expand, the confidence of the people will grow, more jobs will be created and the economy will be competitive,” Recto said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about creating jobs and making our economy more competitive. You will not be able to sustain the growth without the necessary infrastructure,” he added.

But while all these projects are being developed, Recto said the government should implement a short-term solution to the traffic situation.

Apart from reducing the buses and jeepneys with the number coding scheme of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Recto said that the government should immediately invest in more coaches for the MRT-3 that runs along EDSA, something that can be done in a year.

The MRT is constantly overcrowded and so providing additional coaches to service the huge number of passengers is necessary.

Recto noted that the projects he mentioned can be funded locally and by the government, which he said is awash with funds that are not being utilized properly.

He said that these do not have to go through the public-private partnerships (PPP) the administration is working on right now for its infrastructure projects.