The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is leading a multi-stakeholder traffic summit to formulate a comprehensive management plan as economic activities continue to open and additional volume of vehicles increases with the de-escalation of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in the National Capital Region.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the traffic summit seeks to craft a unified traffic management plan with the participation of government agencies, private sector, transport groups, transport associations, local traffic bureaus of the 17 local government units in Metro Manila, and various stakeholders.
“The traffic summit seeks to craft a unified traffic management plan.”
The traffic summit started on March 17 and continues on March 22, and 24 in Quezon City.
On the summit’s first day, Artes addressed the participants: “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.”
“No contribution is small or big. We welcome all the suggestions and input.”
“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.
Traffic plans and proposals will be consolidated in order to have a unified action to further improve traffic in the metropolis.
During the summit, the MMDA is set to present proposed traffic improvement plans, including expansion of the number coding scheme and re-implementation of the motorcycle lane along EDSA, in preparation for the “new normal”.
Included in the discussions is the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan of the MMDA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that identifies sustainable solutions on traffic management.
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.
