Metro Manila mayors reject proposed traffic coding scheme

THE PROPOSED three-digit number coding scheme proposed by House Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez was rejected by city mayors who make up the Metro Manila Council of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

But MMDA General Manager Thomas M. Orbos, when sought for comment, said that, although the council had turned down the proposal, they’re not closing their doors to implementing it next year.

“Tinurn down yung proposal (The proposal was turned down) for the simple reason na baka wala pong (that there might be no) time to implement, to inform everyone. It would be too difficult for us, the inter-agencies, to implement [this],” Mr. Orbos said in a phone interview.

“Talagang feeling ng mayors it might be too tight yung schedule (The mayors feel that the schedule might be too tight), but it is something to consider for the coming year,” he also said.

The new number coding scheme, which seeks to widen the traffic policy currently implemented, was intended for the Christmas season.

Mr. Orbos said majority of the council did not think Mr. Suarez’s proposal would help ease the traffic situation. “It is not that they do not agree with it, they just don’t think it’s implementable right now,” he said, citing the Christmas season just ahead.

He added that the mayors instead suggested that the MMDA strengthen their anti illegal parking campaign as well as improve their netizen’s watch program urging citizens to report traffic obstructions around the metropolis. —