The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now crafting a comprehensive traffic management plan in anticipation of the influx of more vehicles in the coming weeks as the country moves to revive the economy from the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said the traffic management plan will obtain inputs from various stakeholders which will be present during a three-day multi-stakeholder traffic summit in Quezon City. The traffic summit runs today, March 17, and is set to continue on March 22, and 24.
Among those present were representatives form government agencies, private sector, transport groups, transport associations, local traffic bureaus of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, and various stakeholders.
"With the easing of restrictions in Metro Manila under Alert Level 1, we see an enormous increase in the number of vehicles and expect traffic to worsen in the coming days," said Artes.
"We need the help of government agencies, concerned sectors, and traffic offices to find solutions to traffic. No contribution is small or big. We welcome all the suggestions and input that could help reduce the time commuters and motorists spend while stuck in traffic, " he added.
During the summit, the MMDA is set to present proposed traffic improvement plans, including expansion of number coding and re-implementation of motorcycle lane along EDSA, in preparation for the "new normal".
The MMDA and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan that identifies sustainable solutions on traffic management will also be discussed.
Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will discuss their public and private partnership (PPP) projects, while officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will present their infrastructure projects in Metro Manila.
Different sectors, including bus operators, truckers, and port operators; cyclists, motorcycle riders, and mobility groups; vendors, commuters, shopping mall operators, transport network vehicle service groups, and taxi drivers who will also air their proposals, issues, challenges, and areas of improvement in the summit.
Traffic plans and proposals will be consolidated in order to have a unified action to further improve traffic in the metropolis.