HPG chief: Cubao to Makati in 5 minutes doable

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s promise to cut travel time from Cubao in Quezon City to Makati in five minutes could be a reality before the end of the year, a police official said yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Roberto Fajardo, director of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said different government agencies are working on measures to shorten the travel time from Cubao – a congested portion of EDSA – to the country’s financial hub.

 “That’s the President’s order. So we will do our best. Actually, iyun ang challenge sa amin, kapag sinabi ni Presidente, we will do it,” Fajardo told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremonial donation of 50 crash helmets to the HPG at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Duterte had promised motorists that traffic congestion along EDSA would improve by December.

“You don’t have to worry about traffic. Travel time from Cubao to Makati could be reduced to five minutes by December. You just wait,” the President said.

Fajardo said the President’s  proposed five-minute travel time from Cubao to Makati is actually doable, but only during off-peak hours.

He said when they conducted a simulation at around 1 a.m. on EDSA, the travel time was at four minutes and 58 seconds with their vehicles running at 70 kilometers per hour, way above the 60 kph speed limit along the highway.

The vehicles used during the simulation were escorted by HPG motorcycles, according to Fajardo.

He said motorists and the riding public should expect drastic measures that would be implemented along EDSA starting next month.

He said the HPG would deploy around 50 personnel on EDSA to ensure that traffic regulations are strictly enforced.

Fajardo warned motorists to comply with the traffic laws or face sanctions.

“Wala kaming gagawin kung hindi mag-issue ng ticket to traffic violators,” he said.

The Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are planning to transfer the motorcycle lane along EDSA on the right side beside the two lanes reserved for city buses.

Fajardo said this would ensure the smooth flow of traffic on the two leftmost lanes reserved for private vehicles.

The HPG will strictly implement the yellow lanes policy to prevent commuter buses from occupying spaces for private vehicles. 

The MMDA is also eyeing the closure of bus terminals along EDSA to ease traffic congestion along the busiest thoroughfare in the metropolis.