Rotarians in Quezon City have pledged to support the various plans and projects of the Metro Manila Development Authority as part of their civic duties to do their bit in helping solve the traffic crisis anchored on the “shared burden, shared responsibility principle.”
MMDA chairman and general manager Tim Orbos urged the Rotarians to help the government in dealing with traffic, garbage, flooding, illegal parking and vending even as he assured that massive efforts are being done to address these problems. Orbos addressed the District 3780 Rotary club presidents and other Rotarians at the Joint Interclub meeting at Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato over the weekend.
“We cannot do it alone in government and for the metropolis which has 12.5-million residents and a high of 15-million people during daytime with about 2.3-million vehicles traversing the streets especially Edsa and 30,000 new added every month, we simply needs everyone’s support and understanding,” said Orbos.
He said that since traffic is everybody’s problem that affects everyone, he encouraged all sectors to be part of the solution and every little input and contribution such as observing traffic and parking rules will go a long way in easing the burden of majority.
Orbos proposed the implementation of an “Adopt an Intersection Project” to be pioneered in Quezon by more than 100 Rotary clubs that will make possible the participation of civic clubs in various choke points in Quezon City in terms of logistical support from manpower thru traffic volunteers, donation of raincoats and boots to traffic enforcers and street cleaners including installation of public announcement system to monitor pedestrians an drivers.
Among the suggestions of Orbos when it comes to “attitudinal change” include planning travel trips ahead by hitting the road two hours ahead, carpooling, less use of hazard lights while parking that normally cause traffic, reporting choke points and proper and disciplined driving.
On traffic enforcement, Orbos said that on any given day, there are about 2,300 MMDA traffic enforcers augmented by at least 800 HPG men from all over the country and only a handful 40 Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to monitor 12,000 buses mostly colorum driven by undisciplined drivers.
He assured the public that the 100-day old administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and DOTr Secretary Tugade together with MMDA, the Metro Manila Council and the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group are doing their best to address the traffic problem.
