Malacanang: Traffic decongestion measures ‘effective’ despite traffic jams

MANILA, Philippines Malacanang said the new traffic management strategy on EDSA has been “effective” in decongesting traffic. This is despite the major traffic jam that stranded motorists and commuters last September 8, 2015.

According to Philstar, Cabinet Secretary Jose Almendras said that it was the collaborative efforts of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) that eased the traffic situation.

Last Monday, September 7, 2015, the PNP-HPG were deployed to manage traffic along EDSA on the orders of President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III. The PNP-HPG were tasked to clear six major choke points along EDSA. They implemented stricter enforcement of the bus lanes and cleared obstructions and alternative routes.

Almedras said, “The past two days are proof that the initial steps being taken to ease the traffic situation were effective, and government will continue to strive to improve our interaction and interoperability among concerned government agencies.”

Almendras was also tasked by the president to coordinate and integrate all Cabinet policies and actions pertaining to addressing the traffic problem in the metro.

Floods cause crazy traffic around the Metro

Many motorists and commuters got stranded on September 8, 2015 as heavy rains caused major traffic congestion along EDSA and other major roads like  C-5, Osmena Highway, Elliptical Road, Commonwealth, Katipunan, and Taft Avenue.

Aside from the floods, the absence of traffic enforcers were also to blame for the agony commuters experienced. One of the commuters said to the Inquirer, “I left the office on Sept 8, I arrived home on Sept. 9.”

Many other motorists and commuters were also stranded for at least five hours on the road.

Complex traffic problem

Almendras said the  traffic problem is a complex one and needs to be addressed by other government agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

On a final note, Almendras is also asking the public to cooperate with government agencies to help ease the traffic problem by following traffic rules and regulations.

 Featured Photo Credit: CNN Philippines