The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) recommends the declaration of a traffic crisis as a first step to recognize the problem, then act on it initially with the appointment of a new traffic management team headed by an expert to be appointed by the President.
MAP said the team leader, to be known as traffic czar, will be vested with full powers and authority to mobilize, direct and deploy existing relevant resources of the government, both national and local, as necessary at the height of the crisis.
The business group also suggested the adoption of a holistic plan that includes the organization of Metro Manila into four traffic management zones to be headed by qualified zone traffic managers who shall be responsible for traffic management in their respective zone, and report and to the traffic czar.
The MAP eyes the revival of the Mabuhay Lanes and optimize their use as alternate routes to ease traffic congestion along major routes, such as EDSA, C4, C5 and radial roads and create new ones where none exists.
The proposal also covers the clearing of the lanes by disallowing parking during peak traffic hours in the morning and evening, with violator to be towed and impounded.
Another suggestion is the strict compliance to the proposed National Transport Plan (NTP) formulated by the National Economic and Development Authority in 2017, giving priority to mass public transport over private vehicles, and for this purpose, prioritize allocation of road space for busways.
MAP also recognizes the effectiveness of the EDSA busway as a most cost-effective urban mass transit system. Hence, it sought to privatize the system through the public-private partnership (PPP) model that would be elevated to world-class standards.
MAP said its unsolicited proposals should be processed soonest so that the next step, a Swiss challenge system, can follow suit. The Busway System must be expanded and replicated to cover other major thoroughfares such as Commonwealth Ave., Quezon Ave., Sucat Ave., and Alabang-Zapote Road.
The MAP likewise recommended the privatization of the operation and management of MRT 3 and LRT 2, in order to improve and expand the facilities’ service capacity to include reduction of the headway or the gap between trains during peak travel hours to maximize commuter throughput without the need for additional heavy capital expenditures and compromising passenger safety.
To effectively address traffic challenges in Metro Manila, MAP reiterated a proposal to build a new government center and transfer all national offices to the New Clark City and impose a moratorium on building new government offices in Metro Manila, particularly in already congested central business districts.
Alternative modes of transportation are also being encouraged such as the development of a Pasig River and Laguna Lake into a full-blown passenger ferry system with regular schedule and transfer stations for multi-modal connectivity to jeepneys and buses.
The same model can also create and implement roll on-roll off ferry ship system for passenger and cargo across Manila Bay from Cavite to Bataan.
Moreover, construction of more bridges are imperative to help ease traffic in the metropolis, MAP said.
The group said it will encourage its members to consider the adoption of telecommuting system or work from anywhere on certain days during peak traffic days, or adopt carpooling schemes.
“This traffic crisis is highly detrimental to the people and the economy. No effort must be spared to expeditiously provide relief to our people and economy. The crisis can be mitigated with strong political will, competent management with resolute short, medium and long-term measures,” MAP stressed.