PNP-HPG, gov’t agencies tackle measures to ease Edsa traffic

FILE: Traffic jam on EDSA (Photo By Judgefloro – Own work, CC0)

MANILA — Several measures needed to cut down travel time along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) particularly from Cubao to Makati are now being discussed with concerned government agencies, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director, Brig. Gen. Roberto Fajardo said on Monday.

Fajardo said the measures to be implemented in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to reduce Cubao-Makati travel time from over an hour to five minutes include closing down of all bus terminals along Edsa, transfer of all bus barriers and transfer of motorcycle lane.

He said PNP-HPG has been conducting regular meeting with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to discuss the implementation of the measures.

“Yung (The) five minutes, this is the order of the President. Sabi ko nga (As I’ve said) we are regularly meeting with DOTr, LTFRB, LTO, MMDA,” Fajardo said in a media interview during the turnover of 50 pieces of motorcycle crash helmets donated by Angkas Philippines to HPG at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“Yan ang utos ni Presidente (That’s the order of the President), we will do our best. Actually, yun ang challenge sa amin. Kapag sinabi ni Presidente, we will do it, ganun lang kasimple sa amin (that’s the challenge for us. What the President has ordered, we will do it. That’s how simple to us),” he added.

Fajardo said intensified implementation of traffic rules is another solution to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila, particularly along Edsa.

He said at least 50 HPG personnel deputized by the LTO to issue violation tickets will be deployed along Edsa.

“Kasama na ang disiplina ng motorist, dineputize kami ng LTO kaya wala kaming gagawin kundi maniket lang ng maniket sa mga magba-violate ng traffic rules (Discipline among motorists is part of it. Since we were deputized by LTO, we will strictly enforce traffic rules by issuing tickets against violators),” Fajardo said.

He said the five-minute travel time is possible as they tried it during wee hour simulation for both north and southbound between Makati and Cubao.

“Tinira namin, madaling araw nga lang, mga ala-una ng madaling araw walang (we tried it around 1a.m., there is no) traffic from Guadalupe to Cubao both north and southbound,” Fajardo said.

Duterte earlier said traffic from Cubao to Makati will improve before the end of the year.

The President has been requesting the Congress to grant him emergency powers to solve Metro Manila’s traffic woes.

However, the Senate has been hesitant to pass the measure amid corruption concerns.

Meanwhile, Fajardo said the 50 helmets from Angkas will complement the BMW motorcycles recently donated by businessman Ramon Ang.