MMDA, Duterte to meet on traffic woes

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is set to meet with President Duterte to discuss the agency’s traffic reduction measures, including the ban on driver-only vehicles on EDSA, an official said yesterday.

Chairman Danilo Lim said he asked for an audience with Duterte to discuss all of the agency’s “comprehensive plans” and not only the implementation of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) policy on EDSA. 

However, he said there is still no definite schedule for the meeting.

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said Lim has contacted Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on that matter. 

Lim’s statement came a few days after the MMDA suspended the full implementation of the ban on driver-only vehicles on EDSA following a Senate resolution asking the agency to recall it. 

Lim pointed out the need to act immediately on traffic reduction measures, especially on EDSA, as the Chinese government is set to repair the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge that connects the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong cities and those who use the bridge will be forced to use EDSA.

In a bid to decongest EDSA, the MMDA has fully implemented the ban on provincial buses during rush hours. 

Under the new scheme, provincial buses are not allowed to pass EDSA from Magallanes Avenue in Makati to Cubao, Quezon City from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, Garcia begged motorists to support and cooperate with the dry run of their HOV policy so that they will be able to monitor the possible effect of the traffic scheme if it is implemented. 

He emphasized that the MMDA will not apprehend violators of the HOV policy during the dry run.

The MMDA will meet with the Metro Manila Council, its policy-making body, this week to discuss the HOV policy and other traffic measures in the metropolis. 

‘Remove bus terminals from EDSA’

On the other hand, Rep. Lito Atienza of party-list group Buhay yesterday urged the MMDA to “muster the needed political will” to remove bus terminals along EDSA, from Caloocan City to Pasay City.

He said Lim and other MMDA officials “know that relocating those bus terminals outside Metro Manila and eliminating buses illegally running on EDSA are the solution to traffic congestion along that major thoroughfare.”

He said the problem with MMDA “is that its traffic rule enforcement is not consistent.”

“Now you see it, now you don’t. I hope this is not due to corruption. They should not also give in to pressure from politicians protecting those bus companies located on EDSA and Taft Avenue in Manila,” he said.

He reiterated his opposition to the driver-only ban the MMDA is insisting on enforcing on EDSA.

“Why are you punishing citizens, workers traveling alone in their vehicles from Caloocan City to Makati and vice versa? What about mothers who take their children to school? They will not be allowed to use EDSA in going back home alone?” he asked.

Atienza said the MMDA “is targeting these helpless citizens to cover up for its lack of political will, or worse, corruption in removing bus terminals and buses illegally operating on EDSA.”– With Jess Diaz