Bautista says PUVs should be included in 'no garage no car' policy

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista says he is supporting the proposal to prohibit the sale of motor vehicles if the owners do not have garages as one of the possible means to solve the traffic woes of Metro Manila.

However, Bautista, who chairs the Special Traffic Committee of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), told reporters on Thursday that public utility vehicles should also be included in the prohibition.

The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) has made the proposal as the government continues to address the worsening traffic situation in the metro.

“Pagkakamali naming mga Metro Manila leaders, we allowed na walang sistema na pag ikaw may kotse wala kang garahe ay ok lang siguro sa mga inner streets pwede pero yung sa mga alternate at major roads dapat talaga bawal na pumarada kung hihigpitin natin walang PUVs na hindi bibigyan ng LTFRB (Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board) kung walang terminal ganun kahigpit 'yun. Napakalenient noon mga unang leaders sa atin so at yun ang nakasanayan ng tao so panahon na siguro itono kung ano yung direksiyon kung anong klase,” Bautista told reporters at the Manila Yacht Club where the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) had its first meeting with the MMC.

The MMC which serves as the policy-making arm of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is composed of all the mayors of Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Bautista told reporters the members of the MMC will tweak out with the MMC possible traffic solutions including alternative routes based on an earlier and the revival of the 17 identified “Mabuhay” or alternate lanes.

Bautista added that the local government units that are covered by the 23.8-kilometer stretch of EDSA will also tackle with the HPG contingency measures for the coming Christmas season when traffic volume on the highway is expected to increase in volume.

“Pakikinggan lang namin yung concern nila (HPG) kasi yung traffic lumipat din kami naman mkikinig at the same time magsuggest din for the Christmas rush. On the entire stretch of EDSA maraming malls so siguro panahon na ang mga local governments ay isipin naman yung mga bagong daan,” he said.