The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) agreed Tuesday to reopen the U-turn slot in front of the Quezon City Academy on EDSA by Friday.
In a congressional hearing conducted by the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, MMDA Gen. Manager Jojo Garcia confirmed that the U-turn slot will be reopened to address the traffic bottleneck created by the closure weeks ago.
Reps. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, Anthony Crisologo, Precious Hipolito-Castelo and Christopher “Kit” Belmonte, who were present in the meeting, quickly thanked MMDA for its decision. They predicted better vehicular traffic flow as soon as the U-turn slots are opened.
“We are all one in recognizing this traffic situation has already reached such magnitude and that there is really no easy fix to this problem. Today, the MMDA acknowledged the gravity of the problem and has promised by Friday to immediately cooperate with concern governments and… open up a U-turn slot this Friday,” stated Manila Rep. Manuel Lopez, committee chairman, in closing the meeting.
“Our goal is to have long-term and effective solutions to our traffic problems. Until we achieve this goal, our committee will continue monitoring the development of the projects to ensure that the public is given what it deserves,” he said.
Garcia explained that the MMDA reached the decision following consultations with the Quezon City government that aired serious concerns on the effects of the monstrous traffic jam on EDSA.
MMDA has decided to block the U-turn areas along EDSA as part of the EDSA Busway Project that exclusively designates the innermost lane of EDSA to buses.
During the meeting, Lopez also tasked the MMDA to ensure the safety and welfare of the commuters and motorists in the implementation of the project, stressing the crucial impacts of heavy traffic in the major thoroughfare.
“This issue does not only affect the residents of Quezon City, or Caloocan, or Makati or those residents or localities that are traversed by EDSA,” the lawmaker said.
Elvira Medina, chairperson of the National Center for Commuter Safety, lauded the House panel for acting swiftly in seeking a dialogue with the MMDA on the issue.