More suggestions to metro traffic woes

Proof of just how keen residents of Metro Manila are on finding a solution to the traffic problem is the number of letters we receive on the topic. Here are a few of them, in addition to many more that we’ve featured in past columns.

Let’s just hope the people in government who should be minding this crisis are listening. Here are a handful of the suggestions from readers that seem worthwhile sharing.

The first one comes from Tony de Vera: “I am writing to you in response to your Star column dated Sept 1. Instead of merely griping about it, I have decided to join the fray of suggestions.

“Your contributor, Raymond Tumao, in the Sept. 1 column gave several insights which was not known to me before ... MMDA was created to provide revenue for the president, old school boundary system, etc.

“1.  The suggestion to abolish the MMDA should be further studied. Its purpose now is to generate revenue not only for the president but, also for its officers/men. I have often witnessed several times, as several motorists have, that MMDA enforcers hide so they catch violators. Hence, a smooth traffic flow is to be avoided as it does not contribute to the kitty. If abolished, who will take care of cleaning the metropolis?

“2. There is no accountability for poor traffic management (among other sectors). If the MMDA is abolished, then who will be accountable for traffic mess? Then we will have to create another office ... same banana.

“3. The suggestion to create a “consortium” will not be effective as this will be private in nature and again. Who will be responsible? What will be the penalty? Also, a mega consortium will have to be split into smaller units for manageability.

“4. I like Tumao’s suggestion about using lighter trains.

Need for accountability

“I have not really given enough time to be able to give a complete solution to this problem. However given the current MMDA institutional setup, here are some suggestions.

“1. MMDA structure should be decentralized. Metro Manila should be further divided into, say 10 to 12 areas with each area having a deputy-in-charge on a contractual basis. Marami namang pera ang MMDA so it can allot, say P5 million each every year to the two best performing districts. Allocation can be 10 percent to the deputy and 90 percent to its staff. The poorest performing district will have its deputy fired or contract not extended. Now that is accountability. Every year, a deputy should be fired. Members of the judging committee should come from various sectors across the different areas.

“2. The metropolis cleanup function should be given back to the LGUs. But every year, the dirtiest area should be penalized with fines coming from its IRA to be given to the MMDA to clean up that particular LGU. Accountability again.

“3. All officers of MMDA should not be allowed to have wang-wangs and police escorts. Drivers assigned to them should start only at 8 a.m. office hours. Let them experience driving to and from their office themselves.

“With Pinoys, there should always be a repercussion if the job isn’t done well. If PNoy insists on defending his DOTC secretary in charge of land, air, rail and sea transport fiascos, what improvements can you expect.

“Who was penalized for the Luneta hostage fiasco, Mamasapano killings, train failures, etc.? If there are no repercussions .... I rest my case.”

Everybody needs to act

This next one comes from Fernando N. Zialcita: “The solutions have long been there, e.g., no colorum buses along EDSA. Move provincial bus stations to outside the city. No illegal jeepney terminals that take up two lanes even of wide streets. Limits on high rises along particular roads in particular zones.

“Expensive studies have been commissioned regarding the traffic problems of Metro Manila. So why are these not being implemented? We all know the answer: corruption and the influence of powerful interests in City Hall. Other solutions like more rail systems – e.g., streetcars – may run against powerful interests too.

“Even if a new capital were built elsewhere, in 20 years time, the same problems will recur for as long as certain cultural patterns are retained without question – submissiveness before powerful interests, under the table deals. Important therefore to get advocacy groups and neighborhood associations involved in the affairs of their city to counteract the propensity towards corruption.

“Quezon City was practically wilderness when it was opened in the 1950s. Look what has happened since for lack of seriousness in implementing plans.”

More ‘backdoor’ bridges

From Rusty Diaz: “I’m glad to find you by your column ‘More suggestion to improve traffic’ when I’m trying to search via online to share my point of view on how to help the tragic traffic especially in EDSA.

Here’s my suggestions: First, I observed the narrowing of EDSA from Roxas Boulevard going to Taft. I suggest to put visible pavement markings and a traffic light for 2 lines entering the one lane. So every car will enter the merging lane one at a time by means of the traffic light.

“This will also prevent a car collision that will cause more traffic congestion and inconvenience to every driver. The same thing with the narrowing at Buendia.”

This last one for today is from Ricardo Tuason Jr.: “I read your article last Aug 20, 2015 on PhilStar about the Metro Manila traffic. It’s a good article.

“I would like to add “bridges.” A great example is the Rockwell Bridge. Five times a week, we use the bridge as an alternative/backdoor route from Makati to Quezon City.

“Before the Rockwell Bridge was made, most of the time we used only EDSA. By installing more bridges in Metro Manila, we can use alternative roads.”

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.