The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expects worsening traffic situations in the coming days as economic activities heighten with the de-escalation of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR).
To address the challenge, the MMDA organized a three-day multi-stakeholder summit to formulate a comprehensive traffic management plan.
“With the easing of restrictions in Metro Manila under Alert Level 1, we see an enormous increase in the number of vehicles and expect traffic to worsen in the coming days,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes on the first day of the event held at Novotel, Araneta Center in Quezon City.
The summit started on March 17 and will resume on March 22, and 24.
Artes said the meetings seek to craft a “unified traffic management plan” with the participation of government agencies, the private sector, transport groups, transport associations, local traffic bureaus of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, and various stakeholders.
“We need the help of government agencies, concerned sectors, and traffic offices to find solutions to traffic (problems). No contribution is small or big. We welcome all the suggestions and input that could help reduce the time commuters and motorists spend while stuck in traffic,” he said.
Traffic plans and proposals would be consolidated in order to have a unified action to further improve traffic situations in the metropolis.
The MMDA is set to present proposed traffic improvement plans, including expansion of number coding and re-implementation of motorcycle lane along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, in preparation for the “new normal”.
The agency said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan that identifies sustainable solutions on traffic management would also be discussed.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways would tackle their public and private partnership (PPP) projects, while officials from the Department of Transportation will present their infrastructure projects in Metro Manila.
Different sectors, including bus operators, truckers, and port operators; cyclists, motorcycle riders, mobility groups; vendors, commuters, shopping mall operators, transport network vehicle service groups, and taxi drivers were also invited to air their proposals, issues, challenges, and areas of improvement during the summit.