MMDA’S early move to decongest traffic

There are still many other options available to reduce traffic on Edsa, especially now that we have yet to hit full road capacity. But it is commendable that we have forward-looking government agencies such as the MMDA that worry early enough before we wake up and find ourselves suffering from the same traffic congestion that we thought we will never see again after the pandemic.

it is heartening to find out that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is intent on finding ways and means to decongest traffic even as we are still in the midst of pandemic-induced traffic conditions resulting in a lessened number of vehicles on the road. this forward-looking direction had been mentioned by no less than MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos who noted the increase of motor vehicles on the road as nearing that of pre-pandemic numbers; as well as his pronouncement to adopt several measures soon to decongest traffic.

The recent surge in the number of vehicles on city roads can be attributed to several factors. One is the relaxation of certain Covid related measures in Metro Manila that allowed more people authorized to travel. This goes hand in hand with the fact that as more individuals are vaccinated, then return to normal, to include outside travel, becomes more apparent than before. Another reason for the seeming congestion is that public transport still remains to be in partial operations as social distancing still prevents mass transport operators to achieve maximum capacity. Another contributory factors are the emerging presence of personal mobility devices such as bicycles, e-trikes and motorcycles that had grown exponentially in use during the pandemic, brought about by the lack of public transport as well as fear of close proximity with other commuters in public transport despite social distancing. The re-allocation of lanes, primarily for the Edsa carousel as well as the bike lanes, has resulted as well to a limited road capacity for private vehicles.

Despite the increase in congestion, MMDA remains in favor of extending the suspension of the number coding scheme, which was the agency’s traditional volume reduction measure. This is good, considering that, indeed, Metro Manilans still need whatever mode of transport they can get while public transportation remains scarce for commuters.

With the volume reduction scheme still suspended, one possible way to avoid gridlock would be to maximize other routes that traverse the north-south corridor parallel to Edsa. This is most especially achievable with the completion of two major connector roads—the Skyway 3 to North Luzon expressway connector and the Harborlink that lands perfectly well at the port area for a substantial number of cargo trucks that use the C5. With more cargo trucks forced to use these roads, then C5 becomes more open to private vehicles. Another possible route that can now be maximized is the Ortigas-bgc route via the newly opened Sta. Monica Bridge. Now partially opened, this route can be maximized if the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will allow public transport (hopefully a hybrid point to point) on this corridor, thus lessening the volume of commuters on the Edsa carousel.

Another low hanging fruit is the full utilization of the provincial bus terminals on the extreme ends of the metropolis—one up north at the Philippine Arena, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange in Parañaque, and the Sta. Rosa terminal while awaiting the completion of the terminal to be built at the old Food Terminal Complex. Though still hardly felt with the partial allowance on inter-regional road travel, provincial buses on Edsa—all 10,000 of them— once fully allowed will definitely cause congestion. It would be good then that these provincial buses begin using these terminals while congestion is not yet near pre-covid levels.

Still, if volume reduction cannot be avoided, it would only do well to do such restrictive measures only in the afternoon, say from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and only on the northbound side. It would seem that people’s habits in going out might have changed, as seldom is there congestion in the morning. But in the afternoons to early evenings, the same pre-pandemic congestion is already present, indicative that people are now going back to their homes earlier than before.

There are still many other options available to reduce traffic on Edsa, especially now that we have yet to hit full road capacity. But it is commendable that we have forwardlooking government agencies such as the MMDA that worry early enough before we wake up and find ourselves suffering from the same traffic congestion that we thought we will never see again after the pandemic.