Driver-only ban on EDSA suspended but dry run to continue

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has suspended the planned implementation of the “driver-only” ban on EDSA on August 23, following a Senate resolution calling for its suspension.
“Hindi muna natin itutuloy yung HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane implementation on August 23 pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin ‘yung dry run,” MMDA spokesperson Celine B. Pialago told BusinessWorld in a phone interview on Friday. (We won’t be pushing through with the HOV lane implementation on August 23, but the dry run will continue.)
The MMDA on Wednesday started the week-long dry run of its HOV lane policy, which prohibits private and public vehicles, except motorcycles, from traveling on EDSA during rush hour with just the driver on board the vehicle.
“We…respect the resolution passed by the Senators pero walang power ang MMDA na i-hinto ang HOV policy dahil MMC (Metro Manila Council) resolution na siya,” Ms. Pialago said regarding Senate Resolution No. 845, explaining that the MMDA cannot deviate from the MMC resolution.
MMC is expected to convene “anytime next week or two weeks from now” to discuss whether to push through with the HOV scheme, she said.
“It will just be the Metro Manila Mayors that can decide, so (on) August 23, (we’ll revert to the) status quo (but) that doesn’t mean (we won’t implement it anymore),” Ms. Pialogo said. “We’re still waiting for the MMC decision.”
Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, said in a statement on Friday: “Time to go back to the drawing board to think hard what can be done to solve our traffic woes. Policies should always be practical, implementable and in line with public interest.”
“Probably, we don’t need new policies, just strict implementation of existing laws and regulations. Mag public consultation muna kayo (let’s have a public consultation first),” she also said.
For his part, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said in a statement: “The traffic in Metro Manila is a major concern but we must avoid ‘band-aid’ solutions such as the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) policy and the ‘driver-only’ car scheme that have zero chance of success, and are very discriminatory against those who cannot afford to hire a driver.”
“In Indonesia, along with US and Canada where HOV lanes have been implemented, the scheme has been criticized as ineffective and counterproductive in addressing traffic congestion.”
“Hence, the MMDA and the Metro Manila authorities should look for real solutions to traffic congestion, but it should be done without violating the due process of laws enshrined and protected under the Constitution.”