Local executives in the National Capital Region have agreed with the three proposals made by the Metro Manila Development Authority to further improve the flow of traffic in the metropolis.
This developed shortly after the MMDA met the Metro Manila mayors comprising the Metro Manila Council, the agency’s governing board and policy-making body, during its 12th regular meeting on Thursday.
One of the proposals approved was the establishment of non-exclusive motorcycle lanes along Marcos Highway from Katipunan Avenue to Sumulong Highway and vice versa; Roxas Boulevard (from Naia/Mia Road to Anda Circle and vice versa, and Elliptical Road to Quiapo Quezon Avenue, España, Lerma, and Quezon Boulevard and vice versa).
MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said the non-exclusive motorcycle lanes that were established along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue, and President Carlos P. Garcia have been successful in instilling discipline among motorcycle drivers and have significantly reduced motorcycle related incidents in Metro Manila.
“Owing to the large volume of motorcycle traffic along Marcos Highway, Roxas Boulevard, and Elliptical Road to Quiapo, it is imperative to likewise establish non-exclusive motorcycle lanes,” said Lim, who presided the MMC meeting held at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City.
Under the agreement, the MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center shall be responsible for the application of the necessary pavement markings and installation of the appropriate signage for the purposes of implementing the non-exclusive motorcycle lanes.
The MMDA shall impose a P1,000 fine to violators.
The mayors also agreed with the amendment of the uniform light truck ban policy that prohibits cargo trucks with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kilograms and below on Edsa and Shaw Boulevard at certain hours of the day.
With the approval, light trucks would be banned from traversing the two major roads from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. in order to further alleviate traffic congestion along Edsa, from Magallanes until North Avenue in Quezon City; and Shaw Boulevard within the jurisdiction of Mandaluyong and Pasig cities.
Previously, the regulation prohibits light trucks from traversing the two major roads from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The policy is enforced from Monday to Saturday except Sundays and holidays.
Moreover, the Metro Manila local chief executives have agreed to enforce “No Physical Contact Apprehension Policy” in apprehending illegally parked vehicles along major roads.
Lim said the NCAP has been effective in catching traffic violators with the help of closed circuit television cameras, digital cameras and other handheld devices in catching traffic violators.
“There remains a proliferation of illegally parked motor vehicles along the national, city and municipal roads of Metro Manila despite earnest efforts exerted by the MMDA and Metro Manila local government units in road clearing,” he said.
“Thus, this regulation can be a big boost to the agency’s campaign against illegal parking and help avert heated argument between traffic enforcers and vehicle owners during clearing operations,” added Lim.
According to the agency’s data, at least 45,236 were apprehended for illegal parking in 2017.
Once implemented, the MMDA would send summons to the owner of the vehicle caught on roads they are not supposed to park.
The worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila caused billions of pesos in revenue losses.
The MMDA, the government agency tasked to manage the traffic situation, is having a hard time tackling the worsening traffic problem, which, it says, is caused primarily by the increasing number of vehicles and lack of discipline among motorists and pedestrians.
The MMDA admitted that Metro Manila is still in need of inter-city expressway of 426 kilometers until 2030. It added the metropolis also needs urban and suburban railways of six main lines with 246 kilometers and five secondary lines with 72 kilometers, respectively, to improve traffic in the Philippines, especially in the NCR.