PNoy wants 6 EDSA 'choke points' cleared to ease metro traffic

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday issued directives that aim to address the worsening traffic mess in Metro Manila.

In a statement sent to reporters, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino ordered "the review and fine-tuning of action proposals on easing traffic congestion and the submission of detailed implementation plans."

Aquino made the orders after meeting with concerned government agencies Tuesday afternoon in Malacañang.

Coloma said it was agreed after the meeting that "priority action" will be taken to clear six major intersections that are considered traffic congestion "choke points" along EDSA.

The "choke points" identified were Balintawak, Cubao, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Guadalupe and Taft Avenue.

Among the immediate action steps agreed were the following:

• Stricter enforcement of the bus lanes along EDSA;
• Clearing of obstructions on EDSA and alternative routes;
• Continuing consultations with bus and public utility operators, truckers and port users and other stakeholders

Coloma said Aquino also approved the deployment of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group to serve as the lead traffic law enforcement agency on EDSA.

The police group will operate with continuing support from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Coloma said the proposals and plans on traffic decongestion have taken into account the need for "holistic solutions, unified action among concerned government agencies, and heightened awareness to ensure citizen cooperation."

In a speech last week, Aquino asked the public to be more patient and understanding as the government tries to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem.

Aquino 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.

"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," he added.

The president said the most radical proposal on traffic decongestion was the revival of the "odd-even" scheme.

"Pihadong luluwang ang trapik dahil kalahati ng sasakyan ang mawawala, pero sigurado pong marami na namang aalma dahil hindi magagamit ang kotse nila," Aquino said.

Aquino noted that traffic in Metro Manila continues to worsen because of the increasing number of vehicles.