TRAFFIC WOES IN METRO MANILA TACKLED

INTERIOR and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., officials of the local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila and other government agencies met to tackle solution to the worsening traffic in the metropolis.

A press release from the DILG Monday stated that the series of consultations between Abalos, LGUs and relevant national government agencies to discuss matters related to traffic and transportation was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to address traffic issues in Metro Manila.

According to Abalos, the President directed them to go down to the grassroots and talk about the traffic and transportation problems.

“We want to know the solution from various sectors,” the DILG chief said.

In the latest consultation last March 12 in Bgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City, Abalos met representatives of LGUs, government offices, and some 200 village chiefs to discuss traffic management and road safety in the National Capital Region (NCR).

He said among the issues discussed were the planned regulation of e-trikes and e-bikes, barangay road clearing operations, and street pay parking ordinances of LGUs.

Abalos said all those issues are being studied by a technical working group and will be submitted to the President.

He said for the meantime, a status quo is being implemented to prevent any problem.

The DILG chief also said he met with the Land Transportation Office, Department of Energy, and Department of Transportation to discuss various traffic concerns, including the use of e-vehicles, in the NCR.

Abalos said the results of the consultations will be presented to the President in the Regional Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Management on March 25. 

Meanwhile, Abalos reminded LGUs of their obligation under Section 11 of Republic Act 11697 also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law), which mandates the inclusion of green routes in their Local Public Transport Route Plans in line with the National Transport Policy.

“This is not just a directive from the DILG or MMDA; it is the law,” Abalos emphasized.