METRO MATTERS
By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA
San Juan City sits at the heart of Metro Manila, where the streets buzz with life. Every day, thousands of vehicles and people move through our city, making it a vital crossroads in the National Capital Region. But with this importance comes a challenge: traffic congestion that has long tested our patience and dampened our quality of life.
Just like most barangays in Metro Manila, this problem is experienced in Barangay Greenhills. As home to the iconic Greenhills Shopping Center, which is now called Greenhills Mall, and three major schools namely Xavier School, Immaculate Conception Academy, and OB Montessori, with La Salle Green Hills which is situated in Mandaluyong City just a few hundred meters away, the area is a hub of activity. Yet, for decades, its roads have groaned under the weight of vehicles, especially during the holiday season.
This is personal to me. I have lived in Barangay Greenhills all my life. I have seen how the growing influx of vehicles has turned traffic into a daily struggle. So when I became mayor in 2019, I took on this problem head-on.
The first step was bold. I issued Executive Order No. 4, Series of 2019, declaring several streets in Greenhills as “No Parking Zones.” This decision cost the local government millions in annual revenue, but the convenience it brought to residents and the driving public was priceless. It should not be always about money. We should put more premium on what is good for our community.
During the previous administrations in San Juan, street pay parking was allowed in major thoroughfares and Mabuhay Lanes, which caused a very heavy gridlock in these areas that left our residents and motorists from other cities suffering daily. Knowing that the removal of street pay parking would impact the city’s revenue, I told myself that we could make up for the lost income in many other ways. What was important was people would no longer be subjected to such horrendous traffic. I have always believed that good governance requires making tough decisions for the general welfare of our citizenry.
The power of connection
The solution to traffic is not one-size-fits-all. It takes creativity, innovation, and persistence. That is why we focused on building this Greenhills-West Crame Connector Road. This shorter route has immensely reduced congestion and has vastly improved travel time.This connector road, the first of its kind in San Juan City, was opened on Dec. 16, 2024. Since then, we have been receiving so much positive feedback.
This two-lane road connects Eisenhower Street in Greenhills to 3rd West Crame, providing seamless access to Bonny Serrano Avenue and, eventually, EDSA. It is not just a road. It is a lifeline. This 65-meter stretch features streetlights, road markings, bike lanes, drainage systems, and even a vertical garden along its perimeter walls. Every detail reflects our commitment to both function and form. Police personnel and traffic enforcers are also very much visible and work to maintain the flow of traffic and peace and order as well.
Bringing this project to life required foresight, good planning and determination. We acquired two privately owned lots and invested in site development, and these are the results — smoother commutes, shorter travel times, and a better daily experience for everyone.
A model for progress
This road is more than just an infrastructure project. It is a symbol of what is possible when we act with purpose. It shows how thoughtful planning and decisive action can solve problems that once seemed insurmountable.
As president of the Metro Manila Council, I know that San Juan City’s traffic challenges are not unique. They are experienced by the millions of people who call Metro Manila home. Solutions must be shared, and collaboration is key. Government leaders, private stakeholders, and citizens must work hand in hand, adopting sustainable practices and policies that benefit all.
The road ahead
The journey to ease traffic is long, but every step matters. San Juan City’s connector road is proof that positive change is possible when we focus all our efforts on improving the lives of our people. Progress moves us forward. It transforms how we live, connect, and thrive.
This is how we build a city that works for everyone. This is how we lead Metro Manila into a future where every road brings us closer together.