Gov’t determined to solve Manila traffic woes—Palace

Heavy traffic along Santolan area as workers from Department of Public Works and Highways workers conduct concrete reblocking at Nepa Q-Mart along Edsa, Quezon City, December 5, 2015. NINO JESUS ORBETA

Malacañang on Monday said that the government under President Benigno Aquino III is doing its best to solve the worsening traffic situation which has plagued Metro Manila.

Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said that the government has already taken various steps in addressing the problem, such as the implementation of the “Mega Manila Dream Plan” or the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Its Surrounding Areas including Calabarzon and Central Luzon.

“Determinado ang pamahalaan na gawin ang nararapat upang tumugon sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayang naninirahan at naghahanapbuhay sa NCR at sa mga kanugnog na rehiyon,” Coloma said.

The Palace official issued the statement after a senior official of the American Chamber (AmCham) of Commerce of the Philippines was quoted in a newspaper report saying that Metro Manila will become “uninhabitable” by 2020.

AmCham senior advisor John Forbes said that the traffic situation might worsen in the next four years due to increasing number of cars on the road which is expected to hit 500,000.

Some of the goals of the “Dream Plan” include: no traffic congestion; no households living in hazardous conditions; no barriers for seamless mobility; no excessive cost burden for low income groups; and no air pollution. -Aries Joseph Hegina