THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) opened today a multi-stakeholder traffic summit to formulate a comprehensive management plan in preparation for the “new normal.”
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the traffic summit seeks to craft a unified traffic management plan as economic activities continue to open and additional volume of vehicles increases with the de-escalation of COVID-19 restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR) as it is now under Alert Level 1 classification.
Participants to the summit are government agencies, private sector, transport groups, transport associations, local traffic bureaus of the 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila, and various stakeholders. The traffic summit runs today, March 17, and will continue on March 22, and 24 in Quezon City.
On the summit’s first day, Artes said that with the easing of restrictions in Metro Manila, which is under Alert Level 1, they see an enormous increase in the number of vehicles and expect traffic to worsen in the coming days.
“We need the help of government agencies, concerned sectors, and traffic offices to find solutions to traffic. 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, “Artes added.
Traffic plans and proposals will be consolidated in order to have a unified action to further improve traffic in the metropolis.
During the summit, the MMDA will also present proposed traffic improvement plans, including expansion of the number coding scheme and the re-implementation of the motorcycle lane along EDSA.
The MMDA and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan that identifies sustainable solutions on traffic management will also be discussed.
Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will discuss their public and private partnership (PPP) projects, while officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will present their infrastructure projects in Metro Manila.
Different sectors, including bus operators, truckers, and port operators; cyclists, motorcycle riders, and mobility groups; vendors, commuters, shopping mall operators, transport network vehicle service groups, and taxi drivers will also have the opportunity to air their proposals, issues, challenges, and areas of improvement in the summit.
(PHOTO CREDIT: MMDA PIO)