#STARWEEKASKS
RECENTLY STARWEEK REACHED OUT TO READERS ON TWITTER and Facebook with a question that has no doubt crossed everyone’s mind everytime we get stuck in a jam during rush hour: Is traffic in Metro Manila solvable? People from all walks of life weighed in with their thoughts and solutions which include better infrastructure, stricter enforcement of traffic rules, improved public transportation and decongesting the Metro. Ares Gutierrez Respect for road rules, discipline, law enforcement and political will. We get that and traffic will flow. Dennis Freino
Build a flyover along EDSA. Makakarating ba sa Malacañang ang sagot ko? Syempre dapat matagal na nila ginawa yan, yung pagdami ng sasakyan, given na yan kasi umaangat daw ang Pilipinas. Build a flyover all over EDSA. Yung mga private vehicles sa flyover, lahat ng mga bus sa ibaba. Yung private madaling makakarating sa destination, mababawasan agad sasakyan sa EDSA at luluwag siya. Vince Samson The reality, not in our lifetime. Traffic rules and regulations here are treated only as suggestions. The penchant of drivers to ignore them is a common thing. Jopi Vergara Diestro Decongest Metro Manila, change the location of the different businesses and strictly implement zoning Nash Tysmans
I don’t think this administration has the political will for it. Remember the President ran on the platform of malasakit – considering that he spends a huge chunk of his time in Davao, he’s unlikely to care about Manila. But can it be solved? Yes, creatively too and inclusively but not until bad policies like the Drug War are done away with. Angelo V. Suarez
Yes. Decongest Manila: land reform, rural development will abolish need/desire for exodus to cities. Push national industrialization, which precludes access to nationalised mass transport as a public service instead of private business, alongside a liveable national minimum wage. Jedi Villar
It can only be resolved once our government officials start working for the people and not the people working for them. I admire the other countries I’ve visited before because of their great transport system. Not only is it efficient, but it’ also PWD friendly. The transport system of a country speaks so much of the country and how much they value their citizens. Because there’s too much corruption going on, the possible budget in building a better train system or other forms of mass transportation is kept in the pockets of our government officials. Such a sad reality. Xiao Chua Tren tren tren Pepe Alas Traffic in the metro? So long as authorities keep on jamming up all businesses there, Allan Abad
Yes. Heavy traffic can be solved in Metropolitan Manila. Provincial buses should not be allowed to enter in the city. There should be a designated area outside but nearby the city to serve as terminal for provincial buses. At that terminal, there should be buses to transfer the commuters to the city from point to point only. These buses should take only the main roads. Other transportation companies like Grab, Uber and taxis are an option but should be given a designated route to avoid congestion.
MRT and LRT should have a link on these provincial bus terminals. Local and international airports should be relocated near outside the city. MRT and LRT should link in the airports. Create more fly overs and underpasses in intersections for more route options. Create more diversions nearby the city. Old vehicles should be phased out. Lessen the number old jeepneys within the city. No garage, no car policy should be implemented. Clean up the rivers and provide more ferries. Walter Bollozos
Yes. Every problem can be solved, but only if every individual will do their share and part. We have obligations outside and inside our community. I believe the only problems are 1) road courtesy 2) self discipline 3) and traffic management. That’s all we need to solve our traffic problem. We all need to do our share and our individual social responsibility. Even if you are a pedestrian.
Many of us are very good in complaining about traffic… But look who’s talking? I myself am guilty of running through a stop light when no one is passing. So let’s be part of the solution and do not be part of the problem.
Government keeps on building new roads, skyway, traffic schemes. All of these are useless. Why? Because the same motorists with bad driving habits will use it. Likewise with the traffic engineering management system. All of those new roads and skyways will be useless.