A reader’s cure for Metro Manila’s traffic problem

We continue with the second part of Rafael Rueda  Jr.’s letter, this time focusing on what many perceive to be Metro Manila’s biggest blight: traffic. Here are his views on how to solve the problem:

First on the list is population control. According to Rueda, “The President of the Philippines, through the DILG, shall strongly direct all mayors and barangay chairmen of Metro Manila to comply with the following within six months:

A) Enforce the population control law and the family planning program B) Control migrants to Metro Manila C) People doing nothing good for Metro Manila such as squatters shall be sent back to their respective provinces D) Transients, such as students and workers, shall return to their respective provinces after their schooling and work contract. Students and workers from outside Metro Manila shall never be allowed to study/work in Metro Manila.”

Second would be about obstruction removal and control of roadways, sidewalks/sideyards. Rueda says this would include: A) Fixed obstructions such as buildings, structures, including fences, gates, posts, etc. B) Vehicles, stores, eateries, shops, garden, plant boxes, ground signs, play courts, and other moveable objects.

No obstructions

He continues: “When sidewalks/sideyards have no obstructions with good surface and uniform lines and grades, persons on roadways shall not be allowed, and the barangay aides shall guide pedestrians on sidewalks/sideyards and in pedestrian crossings.

“Sideyards shall have a side pedestrian lane of 1.5 meters width and the rest of such yard shall be duly landscaped.”

The third suggestion is to do a census, survey, and inventory of private vehicles, which would be conducted by the concerned barangay chairmen. This would include data on: A) Garages and parking space within the owner’s lot B) Without off-street parking (OSP), such as those outside of the roadways, sidewalks/sideyards.

Off-street parking

Rueda adds: “Owners of private vehicles without OSP shall be given a grace period of three years (to secure)their vehicle OSP, such as in parking buildings, parking lots, etc. – or else their vehicle shall be prohibited from running in both national and local roads. The DOTr shall not issue a vehicle registration.”

One other suggestion of Rueda is “The revision of the National Building Code (to provide for) sufficient parking spaces in building and building lots.”

Fourth suggestion would be controlling areas that are traffic generators, such as land reclamations, malls, supermarkets, etc.

Mass transport system

Fifth would be the provision soonest of a mass transport system by DOTr with intermodal interchange/terminals (buses, taxis, jeepneys, tricycles, etc.) in strategic locations.

This would include A) Rapid, high capacity buses with comfort room B) Rapid high capacity railways both on-surface and elevated C) Rapid high capacity ferry boats with good terminals on Pasig River.

More roads

Sixth would be the immediate construction/completion of connectors between North and South Luzon by the DOTr and DPWH. This would include A) the circumferential roads C5 and C6 to decongest C4 (Edsa)  B) Skyway connecting North and South Expressways C) Improvement of Rizal Avenue and Taft Avenue with LRT 1 connecting Bulacan and Cavite D) Complete extension of R-10 connecting Bulacan and Cavite E) Construction of the Manila Bay Ring Road with a bridge connecting Bataan and Cavite F) The PNR connector for North and South Luzon via Tutuban and Manila Port Area to decongest port operations.

He notes that “The Manila Bay Ring Road will connect the west of Luzon and will service the alternative international airport at Sangley Point and the Bataan Sea Port that will decongest the port area of Manila.”

Traffic engineering

Seventh suggestion would be traffic engineering. Rueda says to: A) Complete all traffic signs, signals and signalization for all vehicles B) Improve all geometric, traffic signs and lane markings, including pedestrian crossings.

Eighth would be traffic education. He suggests to A) Improve the traffic rules and regulations for simplicity  B) Conduct public information drive on such rules and regulations C) Conduct seminars for drivers D) Conduct special lectures and skills training for traffic enforcers.

Traffic enforcement

Ninth and last involves traffic enforcement. Rueda suggests to have a separate traffic enforcement command whose members would be specially well-trained officers with good personality, at least 5’6” in height, with a maximum of 34” waist line, trained by the AFP Military Police, well-disciplined, courteous, honest with honor and integrity, and equipped with handy cell phone with push button coding for traffic violators.

In apprehending traffic violators, Rueda says there should be no more issuance of TCT. “Instead, the use of a coding system shall be applied, with color number codes for drivers, vehicle number, and owner placed on the vehicle windshield so that violations can be taken by codes.

“Example: The traffic office can just (input the code) of the driver, vehicle number, and owner, and the violation will be automatically transmitted to the Traffic Control Center, which has a connection with the DOTr Licensing Registration Center for penalty system.”

In addition, “Fixed posts for traffic officers on critical intersections (are needed), and mobile patrol on motorcycle shall constantly be moving and ensuring that all traffic flow is smooth, safe and swift without obstruction to traffic flow.”

Likewise, he says that, “To ensure the maintenance of good roadways surface, a traffic engineering “find it and fix it” crew shall always be moving and checking the conditions of roadways, and do immediate repairs.”

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