Motoring Today Column

Oct 09, 2019

From being a commuters' problem, to a transport problem, and then to a major government concern, the traffic problem has taken on another face. Last week, it was an exhibition-conference that gathered public and private sectors to discuss ways to solve the traffic problem.

That's the Roads and Traffic Expo, the first conference that provided a platform for all sectors to work on a feasible traffic plan. The two-day expo, which was held last week, gathered many personalities in the private and public sectors who discussed traffic management, the transport sector today, and what organizations are doing to help solve the problem.

Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca , in a talk during the recent Roads and Traffic Expo, said that the traffic problem in the Philippines has become so huge that one agency cannot hope to solve it alone. The solution can only come from the collective effort of several groups, he said.

Royeca is the head of the first app-based motorcycle ride-hailing service in the country. He discussed sustainable solutions that address the malignant traffic congestion problem in the Philippines.

It's about time that such a forum is held. A study done by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) projects that by 2035 -if the traffic congestion problem is not properly addressed - the problem will cost Php5.4 billion loss a day to the economy.

Other panelists with Royeca were Ariel Lim, former Presidential Assistant on Public Transport Affairs; Winnie Castelo, Councilor 2nd District of Quezon City, former Congressman and chairman of congressional committee on Metro Manila Development; Atty. Ariel Inton, head of Quezon City Task Force for Transport and Traffic Management, former director of LTFRB, and moderator Amor Maclang, director of Transport Watch.

The importance of collaboration between the public and private sector in providing better transport options was emphasized by Royeca. He said that Angkas is dedicated to "providing a safe, reliable, and affordable transport option for everyone, and we will do whatever it takes to continue doing so."

Angkas is now on a government-sanctioned pilot run to study. InJune 2019, Angkas was granted by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) a six-month trial run that legally allowed the service to operate in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

According to a statement from Angkas, its 27,000 biker-partners were trained on new safety protocol to comply with the mandated requirements of the DOTr Technical Working Group (TWG). It has so far maintained its 99.997% safety record despite initial speculation from government bodies on its safety.

Angeline Tham, the CEO and founder of Angkas, in another forum, discussed the role of safe and inclusive mobility options in building more sustainable cities.

The Roads and Traffic Expo was held at theSMX Convention Center in Manila on October 1 and 2.

Road clearing operations

There are three elements for the success of any traffic plan - enforcement, engineering and education.

The engineering part is being worked on by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) through the strict implementation of the road clearing program whose 60-day deadline was last Sept. 29.

Last week, the mayors of Metro Manila had promised "to ensure the continuity of the clearing of obstructions despite the end of the deadline."

MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim , who presided over the Metro Manila Council meeting, praised the mayors for their efforts in clearing the streets of obstructions.

"Our work is not yet finished. This is a continuing project. We have to sustain our clearing operations amid the increasing number of vehicles that worsen traffic in Metro Manila," said Lim during the 26th MMC meeting at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City.

Chairman Lim said that the number of registered vehicles in Metro Manila have almost doubled in the last 10 years. However, its road network has only increased by seven percent.

Here's an interesting - and very serious detail in our traffic problem -- at least 900 vehicles were added to the average daily volume of vehicular traffic along EDSA and major thoroughfares in the metropolis, Lim said.

"This is the problem which Metro Manila is facing. Cars are multiplying but the road capacity has barely changed. Infrastructure projects under the 'Build, Build, Build' program are underway," said Lim.

Meanwhile, it is very important that the barangay officials implement the road clearing operations to keep obstructions off the streets - and clear the way for traffic flow.

Majority of the obstructions cleared in Metro Manila are illegally-parked vehicles, sidewalk vendors, barangay and police outposts.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments & inquiries:

(email) sunshine.television@yahoo.com

(website) www.motoringtoday.ph