Experts and stakeholders in the transportation industry asked the outgoing and incoming government to act with urgency on the traffic congestion in Metro Manila in anticipation of the full reopening of the economy.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcelon said in the recently concluded PCCI 2nd general membership meeting the traffic situation in Metro Manila and other major urban areas in the country deteriorated.
Barcelon, citing figures from Japan International Cooperation Agency, said the P3.5-billion daily economic costs of traffic congestion, which could rise to P5.4 billion a day by 2035, could hinder the country’s long-term vision.
He said slow-moving traffic severely impacted workers’ productivity and subsequently, the productivity of business enterprises.
Barcelon said transportation is essential to sustaining economic gains and building on the reform measures that are aimed at making the country attractive to investments and conducive to job-creating activities.