Bulk of MMDA 2014 budget to be used for traffic lights replacement

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said a bulk of its proposed P2.65-billion budget for 2014 will be used for the installation of 161 new traffic signal lights and systems in the Metro as well as for the purchase of flood control equipment.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino told reporters that Metro Manila has a total of 421 traffic signal lights. Tolentino said many of these traffic lights need to be replaced.

"This is part of the traffic masterplan. When it rains, some of these traffic lights go out and cause traffic jams," said Tolentino.

"These traffic lights are already beyond their life spans. These were put up in 1976," he added.

Tolentino also said that some of the new traffic lights, especially those at strategic intersections will use light emitting diodes ( LEDs) and will also be fitted with closed circuit television cameras. These willl then be hooked up to a monitoring center at the MMDA's headquarters in Makati City.

According to Tolentino, the replacement of the traffic lights will cost P399 million to complete.

Some of the traffic lights which will be replaced under the new proposed bidget are those at A.H. Lacson (formerly Gov. Forbes St.), C.M. Recto Avenue and Taft Avenue in Manila.

Tolentino said the MMDA has started replacing 85 traffic signal lights and systems at a cost of P300 million under the agency's 2013 budget.

Meanwhile, the MMDA will also use P62 million from its proposed 2014 budget for the purchase of declogging equipment, including two specialized trucks capable of siphoning flood water from the streets.

"We really need these trucks, especially now that we are experiencing heavy rain," Tolentino said.

In the proposed General Appropriation Act of 2014, the MMDA is asking for an 81-percent hike in its budget to P2.65 billion compared to P1.48 billion this year.

The MMDA said that for this year, it will focus on traffic management services; solid waste disposal and management services; and flood control and sewerage management services.