Aquino Government Bent on Finding Solutions to Traffic Woes, Flooding

(PNA) — The administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III is determined to solve the lingering problems on traffic and flooding in Metro Manila.

President Aquino told students of the Rizal Technological University (RTU) on Thursday that several proposals would be presented to him soon by concerned government agencies and stakeholders on how to address the traffic gridlock in the metropolis.

“Malapit nang ipresenta sa akin ang iba’t ibang plano para maibsan ang siksikan ng mga sasakyan,” he said in his speech during the inauguration of a new building at RTU in Mandaluyong City.

The Chief Executive shared that the “most radical” solution to the traffic problem is the implementation of the odd-even scheme.

“Ang akin po: Ang pinakaradikal dito ay hatiin ang bilang ng bumibiyaheng sasakyan — salitan ang pagbabaybay ng odd at even na plaka sa ating mga kalsada kada linggo,” he said.

He noted that the plan would definitely ease traffic congestion but it would draw criticisms from the public, considering that, according to the Department of Trade and Industry, 22,400 new vehicles are sold every month and 100,000 motorcycles were sold each month in 2014.

“Pihadong luluwang ang trapik dahil kalahati ng sasakyan ang mawawala, pero sigurado pong marami na namang aalma dahil hindi magagamit ang kotse nila,” he said.

“Ang ideyal na sitwasyon: Dagdagan ang mga tulay at palawakin ang mga kalye; pero maski ito po, aabutin nang ilang taon para maipatupad at katakot-takot pa ang diskusyon, lalo na sa usapin ng right of way,” he said.

On flooding, President Aquino said the solution is to have a comprehensive, detailed, and systematic Flood Management Master Plan.

During the event, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson presented the master plan, which includes the main drainage project in Mandaluyong City as part of the major flood control projects and drainage improvement works being done in the National Capital Region.

President Aquino, meanwhile, sought the public’s understanding and cooperation as the government finds long-term solutions to the two major problems that continue to beset the country.

“Nagsisikap nga tayong tugunan ang lahat ng kayang tugunan, at ang panawagan ko po: Makiisa at dagdagan ang pang-unawa at pasensiya. Sa inyo namang pakikiambag, masisiguro nating sabay-sabay tayong uunlad,” he said.

Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement issued on Thursday that at the instruction of President Aquino, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras has begun consulting various stakeholders to integrate action proposals from the Metro Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Communications, and the Philippine National Police. (PNA) SCS/PND