MMDA eyes ‘extreme’ ideas vs traffic

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will listen to “extreme” proposals to fix the horrific traffic along EDSA, such as making it one way for southbound passengers or even setting up a coding system based on the vehicle brand.

In a press briefing yesterday, spokesperson Celine Pialago said these extreme measures may be considered by the agency if ever EDSA’s traffic requires a more drastic solution.

“With the chaotic situation now, who knows? Maybe drastic solutions are what we need, whether temporary or permanent,” Pialago said.

Pialago cited the proposal of engineer Fernando Guevara, president of GPI Engineers Inc., for a scheme making EDSA into a southbound highway, while C5 Road will be opened for vehicles going north.

This scheme would speed up the traffic along EDSA to 40 kilometers per hour, twice the current average speed of 19.37 kph, Guevara said.

The engineer also proposed having bus stops within a 200 meter radius from any residence and 54 buses at every bus stop per hour.

Guevera said 2,430 buses are needed to move the average 350,000 people using EDSA daily.

Another “more extreme” proposal was from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. consultant Ariston Gorospe Jr., who wrote to MMDA chairman Danilo Lim about a daily schedule for vehicles allowed on EDSA based on models.

According to his proposal, only Toyota vehicles should be allowed along EDSA on Mondays; Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Isuzu on Tuesdays; Nissan, Ford, and Foton on Wednesdays; Honda, Chevrolet, Mazda and Subaru on Thursdays; Suzuki, Kia, Volks and Mercedes Benz on Fridays; Jac, Tata, Audi and Baic on Saturdays; and Minis, Lotus, Volvo and other models on Sundays. 

Gorospe gave figures showing that the highest number of vehicles sold in 2018 were Toyota and Lexus at 73,136, followed by Mitsubishi at 33,506, Hyundai at 15,957, Nissan at 13,222, Ford at 12,508, and Honda at 12,017.

“Whether or not these ideas sound crazy, we respect these as long as these are supported by facts and figures,” Pialago said, noting though that these radical proposals should be presented first before the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body composed of Metro Manila mayors and other agencies.