Who is to blame for the traffic gridlock on C5-Katipunan?

A traffic enforcer directs traffic in Katipunan Ave. in Quezon city. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO.

Who is to blame for the traffic gridlock on C5-Katipunan?  The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) figures that the choked traffic on the major road in Quezon Cit is the “ill-fated outcome” of a recent Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) order on trucks. The ruling is reportedly the cause of severe traffic jams along C5-Katipunan road in Quezon City.

With trucks plying C5 road near the streets fronting Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College, plus vehicular traffic coming from schools and residential areas, motorists are caught in a traffic gridlock.

MMDA chairman ‎Francis Tolentino said in a statement that the congestion was after the LTFRB lifted the truck ban last July 25. Last June 27, the LTFRB issued a “no apprehension policy” to all trucks-for-hire with green plates which should be observed by the MMDA and Land Transportation Office. The advisory gave permit trucks to freely pass through C5 from June 28 until July 28 without getting apprehended by traffic enforcers. ‎

The LTFRB policy, however, was extended until August 29, an MMDA officer, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak, told INQUIRER.net over the phone.

“The current move of the LTFRB will only exacerbate the already worse traffic situation in the metropolis,” said Tolentino.

He said the volume of trucks plying Katipunan Avenue, particularly in front of Ateneo Gate 3, increased by about 80 percent.

The MMDA chair explained that the number of trucks traversing the said road ballooned into 14,380—almost twice the number of trucks at 7, 959 that plied C-5 Katipunan at the same time last year when the ban on trucks was still in effect.

Before the directive, trucks were prohibited to ply C5-Katipunan road from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Our records only justify that vehicular bottleneck along Katipunan Avenue is the adverse effect of the new truck issuance of the LTFRB,” he added.

But Tolentino reiterated that he is willing to talk it out with LTFRB and Metro Manila mayors in a proper forum.
Not enough roads and poor planning are once again taking their toll on traffic within Metro Manila.

With report by Julliane Love De Jesus