Senators are pushing for alternative ways to solve traffic woes along EDSA over imposing congestion fees for motorists.

Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday said that the full implementation of the Work from Home Law is a more effective, equitable, and sustainable solution to Metro Manila's traffic problems.

Republic Act No. 11165, principally authored and sponsored by Villanueva, institutionalizes telecommuting as an alternative work arrangement for private sector employees. The law promotes work-from-home arrangements, reducing the volume of vehicles on major thoroughfares like EDSA without imposing additional financial burdens on motorists.

"Instead of penalizing motorists with additional fees, why not maximize the potential of the Work from Home Law, which not only eases traffic but also promotes work-life balance and enhances productivity?" Villanueva, the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development Chairperson, said.

Villanueva emphasized that while traffic management reforms are necessary, imposing congestion fees unfairly targets ordinary Filipinos who rely on private vehicles due to the lack of efficient and reliable public transportation.

"The solution is not to make driving a privilege for the few who can afford additional costs. The real solutions lie in significant improvements in the public transport system and reducing the need to travel in the first place. RA 11165 was designed precisely to address the latter," Villanueva stressed.

The Work from Home Law ensures that employees working from home receive the same rights and benefits as their on-site counterparts, including equal pay, leave entitlements, and career development opportunities. It also mandates fair treatment provisions covering workload, performance standards, and health and safety measures.

"Our goal should be to create solutions that are fair, inclusive, and sustainable. Let's not add to the financial burden of our already struggling commuters and motorists. Let's make smarter, people-centered policies instead," Villanueva added.

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe said that before plans can be hatched to charge fees to motorists using EDSA, concerned agencies should first fix the daily gridlock on the main thoroughfare.

"Mass transportation should offer a seamless, comfortable ride to commuters to encourage vehicle owners to leave their cars at home," Poe said.

She added that secondary streets should also be cleared of obstructions as alternative routes for those who will not use EDSA.

The senator stressed that public consultation is indispensable to gather the views of the population affected by the restrictions.

"Without these measures in place, the planned EDSA road pricing will only exacerbate the hardships faced by motorists who endure traffic, high fuel prices, and inflation," she added.

President Marcos is not keen on approving the proposal to charge private motor vehicles that will be entering EDSA during the presentation of strategies under the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) in Metro Manila.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Don Artes said the idea that was presented is to duplicate the congestion charge being implemented in Singapore by using toll fee-like infrastructure at the entry points of EDSA.

But Artes said it was just a proposal and will not likely happen anytime soon as there are still questions that need to be clarified, such as whether or not the policy would only cover non-residents of Metro Manila, and how the vehicle owners would be charged.