MAP Insights
By Renato C. Valencia
HELP! Metro Manila needs a traffic czar now!
The first act is to designate a traffic czar, not by name, but with authority to direct and redirect traffic in primary, secondary, and tertiary roads without any hindrance from the Metro Manila city mayors. He must have a good sense of the three Es of traffic — Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. Finally, and most importantly, he must have the resources to enforce the rules.
It has been three years now since President Duterte promised to solve Metro Manila’s traffic problem. So far, traffic has gone from bad to worse.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) wants emergency powers, while the Senate wants DOTr to submit a master plan before granting it emergency powers. Unfortunately, no compromise has been reached — at the expense of the commuting public.
The solutions contemplated have become short-term to medium-term, or medium-term to long-term: right of way problems bog down the NLEX-SLEX connection, as well as MRT 7 (North Ave. to San Jose del Monte); fixing the MRT3 is taking longer than usual; the start of a fast train to Malolos and a Metro Manila subway has been announced, but no mobilization is apparent.
Metro Manila needs temporary and short-term solutions to improve traffic flow.
There are just too many bottlenecks all over the place caused by expressways and highways with too many intersections and u-turns; intersections too near each other; vehicles parking on roads thus reducing lanes; road repairs at peak hours; too many jaywalkers; drivers who did not go to driving school or were not properly tested; poorly trained traffic enforcers; and worse, drivers who do not know or follow driving etiquette.
Traffic flow is like blood flow — clogged or partially clogged arteries need a bypass to restore normal flow. Metro Manila needs a lot of bypass roads to achieve a reasonable traffic flow.
The first act is to designate a traffic czar, not by name, but with authority to direct and redirect traffic in primary, secondary, and tertiary roads without any hindrance from the Metro Manila city mayors. He must have a good sense of the three Es of traffic — Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. Finally, and most importantly, he must have the resources to enforce the rules.
The best candidate for Metro Manila traffic czar is the Philippine National Police National Capital Regiod Head. He must surely appreciate traffic problems and know how to solve them. He has all the necessary resources to enforce the traffic laws and regulations — personnel, traffic and motorcycle cops, communication facilities, CCTVs, ambulances, fire trucks, hauling trucks, Google Map, databases on drivers and criminals, etc. Name it and they probably have it. Of course, there could be other candidates but they must have the authority and resources to back them up.
There are also many traffic experts in the country and elsewhere. Surely, the Traffic Czar must be open to avail of their expertise.
This article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines or the MAP.
Renato C. Valencia is the Vice-Chair of OMNIPAY.
