MMDA’s expanded coding scheme needs review, consultation — Poe

Sen. Grace Poe. (PNA photo)

MANILA — Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday said Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) plan to implement an expanded number-coding scheme to ease traffic needs thorough review and consultation.

Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, made this remark after MMDA chairman Danilo Lim announced in a recent House hearing that a two-day number coding scheme might help improve traffic flow.

The senator, however, said that the MMDA should not be hasty in implementing schemes that may cause more harm than good.

“Naiintindihan natin ang malaking hamon na kinakaharap ng MMDA sa pagresolba ng traffic sa Metro Manila. Subalit sa paghahanap ng solusyon, hindi dapat magpadalus-dalos (We understand that the MMDA is facing a big challenge to resolve traffic in Metro Manila. However, in finding a solution, they should not make rushed decisions…),” Poe said in a statement.

Poe said that this proposal was brought up December last year, however, was opposed by the Metro Manila Council, which is the policy-making body of the MMDA. The council is composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors.

“The plan to implement an expanded number coding scheme should be thoroughly reviewed and should undergo consultation with affected sectors. Is this the most effective solution? Is this something we need? Will this cause more harm than good?” Poe said.

She further said that even if the public did want a quick solution to traffic, she stressed that it should not be a “knee-jerk” reaction that only benefit some sectors such as those who could afford to buy more vehicles.

“Tandaan sana natin na hindi pa gaanong maaasahan ang pampublikong transportasyon, at kung ipatutupad itong expanded number coding scheme, bibili lamang ng pangalawa o pangatlong kotse ang mga may kaya (We should remember that we cannot completely rely on public transportation and if we implement the expanded number coding scheme, those who can afford will buy a second or third vehicle),” she added.

The senator also appealed to the MMDA to avoid using citizens as “guinea pigs”” for schemes to ease traffic.

“”Sana wag namang gawing guinea pigs ang ating mga kababayan na laging ginagawang experiment (I hope they don’t make our citizens guinea pigs for experiments),” Poe said.

She said that because traffic was everybody’s concern, everybody should also be part of the solution to help address it.

“We are one with the desire to resolve traffic, we are all victims here, that’s why we should all be part of a solution that is effective and can be implemented continuously,” she added.