Palace exec says gov’t addressing Metro Manila traffic woes

The Malacañang Palace (Facebook photo)

MANILA – A Palace official on Monday said the government is determined in addressing the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila through several projects approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board in June 2014.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Aquino administration is determined to put in necessary measures to address the needs of people living and working in the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding areas.

He said the NEDA Board-approved principles under the Mega Manila Dream Plan or Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas are now being implemented.

The Roadmap heeds the recommendations of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) namely: 1) No traffic congestion; 2) No households living in hazardous conditions; 3) No barriers for seamless mobility; 4) No excessive cost burden for low income groups; and 5) No air pollution, he added.

Under the Mega Manila Dream Plan, there will be five components namely at-grade urban roads; main roads/expressways network; urban and suburban rail network; road-based public transport; and traffic management strengthening.

Coloma’s statement was issued in response to the statement of American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) senior advisor John Forbes, who said that Metro Manila would become uninhabitable within four years if traffic congestion will not be addressed.

As quoted by a major daily, the AmCham official said the strong growth of the country’s automotive industry will further worsen the already problematic traffic situation in the metropolis if roads and other infrastructure will not be upgraded immediately.