Lawmakers on Wednesday thumbed down the proposal of Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim to implement a two-day coding scheme in a bid to help address the heavy traffic in Metro Manila.
Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said the two-day coding system would not solve the traffic problem.
“Those who can afford will just buy additional car, thus aggravating further the problem,” Evardone said. “In the meantime, employees who cannot afford an additional car will be displaced and will become unproductive because our public transport is very inefficient,” Evardone added.
the Metro Manila Development Authority to propose a two-day number coding scheme in its bid to ease the traffic congestion
in Metro Manila. Manny Palmero
Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting also said a long-term solution to traffic is needed and not just band-aid solutions.
Solutions to the traffic problem need to be studied and coordinated. The real problem of traffic congestion is rooted in the volume of vehicles on our major thoroughfares. The logical solution is to reduce volume. The question is how?” Tambunting said.
Evardone and Tambunting said that major infrastructrure projects such as an efficient mass transport system is needed to address the huge traffic problem.
“Without a reliable mass transport system how will our citizens react to a vehicle volume reduction scheme like [a two-day coding system],” Tambunting said. He said the proposal of Lim would not work to achieve its purpose as “[car owners] will just buy more vehicles-which is the trend we see with the removal of the window hours.”
“What we need is a more coordinated approach to the problem,” Tambunting said.
Evardone noted that aside from construction of efficient and affordable mass transport system, there are short-term measures that can help ease traffic. “These include clearing of sidewalks, alternative routes and other obstructions that block traffic, discipline of drivers and commuters, and strict enforcement of traffic laws and regulations,” Evardone said.
At a hearing conducted by the House committee on transportation Tuesday, Lim broached the idea of a two-day coding scheme and added that he will formalize his proposal for possible changes in the traffic reduction scheme formally known as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, whose concept was introduced in the late 1990s, and hopefully get the support of Metro Manila mayors.
Lim said the volume of vehicles plying the roads of Metro Manila “is really problematic.”
Over at the Senate, Senator Grace Poe said she hopes that the public should not be turned into “guinea pigs” in experimenting solutions to worsening traffic gridlock in Metro Manila.
Poe said that while the public understands the challenges being faced by the MMDA in resolving traffic, looking for a solution should not be done in haste.
Poe, chair of the senate committee on public services, said the MMDA should conduct a thorough study of its plan to expand the color-coding scheme.
She also cited the need for the said government agency to conduct a nationwide consultation with the affected sector.
“They should scrutinize if what they plan is the most effective solution or damages would prevail over the benefits it will bring. This should not be a ‘knee-jerk’ reaction, which will benefit only a few,” she said.
Last December, the two-day coding plan cropped up following the expected heavy traffic with the onset of the Christmas season, but the Metro Manila Council, composed of 17 mayors in Metro Manila, objected to this plan.
“We should remember that we still cannot solely rely on our public transportation and if this expanded number coding scheme is implemented, those who can afford will just buy a second or third vehicle.
She said the majority, specifically the commuting public, will suffer from the expanded traffic scheme because the public still cannot rely on mass transport.
“We are cooperative in finding a solution to the worse traffic condition because we are all victims here. Because of this. we should all be part of an effective solution to traffic,” she said.