New EDSA solutions
HPG, MMDA resort to truck ban hours, closed U-turn slots, no parking zones
Authorities will implement this week new traffic schemes and adjustments, including truck ban hours, as the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) try to ease Metro Manila’s worsening traffic situation, particularly along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).
Truck ban back Neomie Recio, MMDA traffic engineering center head, said that starting tomorrow, there will be a re-implementation of truck ban hours from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in all Metro Manila roads except Sundays and holidays.
There will also be a “24/7” or total truck ban implemented on EDSA; the Makati and Ortigas business districts; and Fort Bonifacio.
Only trucks carrying perishable and agricultural cargo are exempted from the truck ban hours.
Heavy trucks will not be allowed to park on any major thoroughfare in the metropolis.
“Since port congestion has already been resolved, the truck ban rules since 1978 has been reinstated, using the old routes,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.
The move was signed by the ordered by the Special Traffic Committee of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the policemaking body of the MMDA.
Truck drivers who will be apprehended for violating the truck ban hours will be made to pay a 2,000 fine, said Tolentino.
U-turn slots closed Beginning today, motorists are advised that the U-turn slot on EDSA-West Avenue will be closed to eliminate the traffic bottleneck in the area, said Recio.
Likewise, one of the U-turn slots on EDSA-Santolan will be closed, she said.
“We will remove the U-turn slot located on the service road and retain the one in the middle to lessen the long queuing of vehicles in the area,” she said.
Those going to San Juan area from EDSA can also expect a traffic scheme to be implemented in the area to manage the heavy flow of vehicles in the area.
Absolutely no parking
Chief Superintendent Oliver Tanseco, HPG spokesman, warned motorists that no part of EDSA is a parking space and that violators – even government vehicles – will be apprehended.
“We will certainly apprehend them for traffic violations. We are here to manage EDSA and part of it is to make sure that we enforce the traffic laws to all the violators,” said Tanseco.
He said they have already coordinated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government Units which in turn responded by starting to clear EDSA and other roads with obstructions.
“We also asked that all resolutions and ordinances down to the barangay level that allow roadsides to be used as parking spaces be repealed,” said Tanseco.
“So by Monday (today), the entire EDSA and the roads leading to and from EDSA will be a no parking zone,” he added.
Man merging traffic
A number of HPG and MMDA traffic enforcers will be deployed in merging zones along EDSA as part of the effort to ensure the smooth traffic flow.
In the past, Tanseco said merging traffic areas are usually where unruly motorists would show their lack of discipline at the expense of the entire traffic situation along EDSA.
Among the six chokepoints on EDSA, three areas with a heavy influx of vehicles have been identified by the HPG and the MMDA as Buendia, West Avenue, and Santolan.
The other three are Ortigas, Balintawak, and Taft.
Self-document accidents Meanwhile, the HPG is urging motorists to use their smartphones and even tablets to document damage to their vehicles if they figure in a car accident at any point of EDSA.
Tanseco said the HPG has come up with the proposal after it was observed that minor accidents are causing monstrous traffic jams, while the parties involved are waiting for the traffic investigators to arrive.
“If the accidents do not involve deaths or physical injuries, we advise them to just shoot pictures of the damages and other important aspects of the accident to ensure that they would not cause traffic buildup,” said Tanseco.
Aside from the damage incurred, Tanseco said motorists should also take pictures of: 1. road condition at the time of the accident e.g. if the road portion is slope; 2. weather condition especially if it is raining; 3. if the area is near traffic light of intersections; and 4. the driver’s license of the all the drivers who figured in the accident.
Once all the documentations through photos are made, Tanseco said the drivers could then proceed to the nearest police traffic sectors for proper documentation that would be used in claiming insurance.
“If the road accident is near the intersections especially those assigned to the HPG, they can approach our personnel there because we have already made sure of presence of traffic investigators who would address their concerns,” said Tanseco.
But Tanseco stressed that their proposal for self-documentation of traffic accidents does not only cover EDSA but those roads near EDSA.
“We were already given authority on the roads leading to and from EDSA so we assure the public that we will take care of their concerns. All that is needed is to approach our personnel,” said Tanseco.
QC solution In Quezon City, a councilor wants traffic scheme adjustments within city limits to contribute to easing up the traffic snarl along EDSA, which affects overall mobility along QC thoroughfares.
In a recent meeting, Fist District Councilor Victor Ferrer Jr. suggested that traffic enforcers from the MMDA and the city’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) should man the identified chokepoints of the city like Quezon, East, and North Avenues, along with other critical intersections in the Cubao area.
Although illegally-parked vehicles are now being towed in the arterial roads in the Cubao area, Ferrer said that MMDA and DPOS traffic enforcers should be deployed in these areas to maintain law and order.
“Instead of seeing vehicles being towed, the DPOS and MMDA traffic men may shoo them away from no-parking areas saving time and effort of the traffic management groups while allowing a smoother flow of traffic,’’ Ferrer said.
Ferrer said that the motorists should be directed not to park illegally instead of luring them to park their vehicles in nonparking areas where their vehicles may towed or the drivers may receive citation tickets for traffic violations.
MM governor, anyone?
Meanwhile, former Manila mayor and now Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza has revived the proposal for the election of a Metro Manila governor who will take full responsibility in addressing pressing problems that are common to the local government units in the metropolis such as traffic congestion.
Atienza said the vehicular traffic crisis and environmental problems are issues that should be assigned to a full time Metro Manila administrator who will be answerable to voters.
Atienza’s proposal to resuscitate the bid for an elective Metro Manila governor was rejected by Malacañang when it was brought to the open in 2012.
Palace officials then pointed out that the MMDA chairman was doing a good job at the helm of the agency.
“It is about time that we have a full time working Metro Manila Governor elected by the people,” Atienza told reporters at the Usaping Balita News Forum in Quezon City.
Port congestion, again?
Another port congestion may be in the offing but the government still looks forward to the benefits of the re-imposition of the truck ban, mainly improving the traffic flow in Metro Manila.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said concerned stakeholders, including port users, have been consulted about the truck ban prior to its implementation, dispelling speculations it was an arbitrary attempt to ease traffic congestion in the capital.
“Decision was based on consultation with port users who signified their willingness to pitch in and do their share in helping ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila,” Coloma said in a text message to the Manila Bulletin when asked about the possible port congestion as a result of the latest truck ban. (With reports from Chito A. Chavez, Ben R. Rosario, and Genalyn D. Kabiling)