Two weeks after the implementation of the “no-window hour” policy in the number coding scheme, which was the subject of my House Resolution, the Metro Manila Development Authority reported that traffic eased in the major roads of the Metro. The MMDA reports that the travel time along Edsa was cut by at least 19 minutes and 47 seconds, on October 17, a Monday. On October 19, Wednesday, the Edsa travel time was reduced by 14 minutes and 25 seconds. While we can say that this new policy implementation has been effective, we should be proactive especially with the advent of the Christmas season. The joy of the season should not be dampened by monstrous traffic jams and the anticipatory stress that precedes having to go through Edsa and other notoriously congested streets.
We hope for a temporary reduction in the number of vehicles during the holidays. While the new MMDA scheme has been effective, we need to calibrate our traffic solutions according to the increased volume of holiday traffic. If proactive measures are not implemented to anticipate Christmas traffic, it will not be a Happy Holiday for anyone. We should celebrate the holidays with our families and loved ones. No one should spend the holidays stuck in their cars, whining, miserable, and hating everyone. I believe the government is doing the best that it can, with a seemingly impossible situation. We should do the same.
We now suggest the Department of Transportation to temporarily implement a three-digit number coding scheme during the Christmas season. Before December comes in, the DOTr should have a prescribed schedule of banned vehicles per day (i.e. 1,2,3 for December 1; 4,5,6 for December 2; and so on). This must be implemented until the end of the Three Kings’ Day celebration, when we will revert to the two-digit number coding scheme.
I can already anticipate the resistance by many. It requires change. Big change. Change is often met with instant refusal. Change is seen as a negative thing. I think, in this case, big problem, big solution. So please consider, do we leave things as they are and allow traffic to get worse? Isn’t it better to do something now before a serious problem arises?
I would also like to call the attention of our local government officials who are in charge of the secondary roads. There are many cars parked on the roads that block other cars from passing these roads. These roads are for our vehicle owners and commuters to use, and are not private parking slots. While we work on decongesting the main thoroughfares, we should also open all the secondary roads.
In terms of numbers, the government has estimated around $3 billion worth of annual loss due to Manila traffic congestion. We lose in terms of productivity, wasted fuel, illness, vehicle maintenance, and business opportunities. Our businesses should thrive, not dive, during the holidays.
While this mess was left behind by the previous administration, we are not powerless in doing our part to improve a situation, not just for ourselves, but for everyone else. We can work around it. Work and not complain. Complaining gets us nowhere.
