MAP wants Metro under ‘state of traffic calamity’

MANILA, Philippines — Business group Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is calling on the government to declare a “state of traffic calamity” in Metro Manila, citing the economic losses from the congestion on roads.

It is also pushing for the gradual conversion of public buses along the EDSA Busway to electric vehicles (EVs). 

“This traffic congestion in Metro Manila has been so severe that an estimated P3.5 billion daily economic loss is being incurred continuously, and therefore more than merits a declaration of a state of calamity in Metro Manila by the President who may avail of emergency powers to provide relief measures,” MAP transportation and infrastructure committee chair Eduardo Yap said in a statement on Thursday. 

He said a calamity with estimated damage of P1 billion qualifies for the declaration of a state of calamity accompanied by the release of emergency state relief measures.

MAP was invited to the public hearing of the House committee on Metro Manila development last Wednesday to talk about the business group’s holistic plan and House Bill 4363, which seeks to provide emergency powers to the President to address the traffic problem. 

Under its holistic plan, the MAP is calling for a declaration of the “state of traffic calamity” and the creation of a management task force headed by a traffic czar.

The task force would be responsible for undertaking a comprehensive program with short, medium and long-term measures for traffic relief. 

This program would cover administrative and management measures and long-term sustainability through structural interventions, particularly transportation infrastructure, focused on mass public transportation.

As EVs do not pollute the air and are seen as environment-friendly options, Yap suggested that public buses on the EDSA Busway be progressively converted to electric power.

The group believes private EVs and other private vehicles, however, should not be allowed to use the EDSA Busway dedicated to public buses.

To encourage the use of private EVs, Yap suggested that their owners be exempted from paying road congestion charges if ever such a system, envisioned under the National Economic and Development Authority National Transport Plan, is put in place. 

To effectively address the traffic congestion problem, Yap said a comprehensive plan would be needed.