The government is looking to adopt a single holistic plan to enhance Metro Manila’s transport system and address traffic congestion through better coordination between different local government units (LGUs) and strengthening government regional offices, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.
“Ang tingin natin sa traffic system pati sa kalsada pati sa mass transit ay gagawin natin isang buong plano. At ang pananaw natin sa problema ng trapiko sa Metro Manila ay isang buong sistema. We have to make it… we have to look at it as an entire system that complements each other, one town, one city to another,” President Marcos said during a town hall meeting in San Juan on traffic congestion.
Recognizing the growing population of now more or less 15 million riders and their contribution to the transport sector, Marcos said he would include the motorcycle riders in the holistic transportation plan which aims to expand areas where riders can provide delivery and other similar services that use motorcycles.
“So that, hindi naman masyadong mahirap para sa mga traveler, para sa mga commuter, para sa mga TODA (tricycle operators and drivers association), para sa lahat ng stakeholder,” he said.
Marcos made the remarks when asked about the government’s plan on motorcycle taxis as part of the national transport plan, particularly with the planned mass transport system in the Philippines.
The President recognized the role of motorcycle services in the country, saying it is the reason why the government is trying to see the high traffic areas, in which such services can be expanded.
He said the service of motorcycle in goods delivery and passenger transport is significant, stressing, however, that their incorporation to the country’s transport system must be holistic.
Another government approach in decongesting Metro Manila, Marcos said, is strengthening national agencies’ offices in the regions so that people can transact in the regions without necessarily traveling to the nation’s capital.
This could be complemented by building major infrastructures and linkages from Metro Manila going to regional centers, he said.
“Maraming mga regional offices ng iba’t ibang region na nandito pa sa Maynila – lalo na mga Region IV, Region IV-A nandito pa sa Maynila – dahil noon talagang mas madaling pumunta Maynila kaysa pumunta doon sa kanilang lugar dahil walang dadaanan,” the President said.
“Kaya’t sinasabi natin mag-isip-isip na tayo ayusin natin para naman iyong mga regional offices halimbawa ay mapunta nga sa regional center, hindi na maiiwan dito sa Maynila at malaking bagay iyon kapag hindi na pumasok ng Maynila,” he said.
With regard the construction of important infrastructure, the government has been constructing bypass roads and bridges, Marcos said, adding among these include the 32-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project. PND
