Is the new MMDA Chairman - Stupid?

MANILA, Philippines - Heavy traffic on EDSA has been a daily problem for every motorist.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) believes this is already due to the sheer volume of vehicles.

In fact, statistics show more than 100,000 vehicles ply EDSA every day.

The MMDA has been implementing a number-coding scheme, but it only reduced the amount of vehicles by around 20 percent.

Now, the MMDA is reviving the odd-even scheme, where they expect the volume of vehicles to be reduced by almost 50 percent.

In the odd-even scheme, only vehicles with plates ending in 2 specific numbers are prevented from using the streets.

"We expect to reduce the volume of vehicles drastically by around 40 percent if this will be implemented," says MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino. "Kailangan po natin yan, to increase productivity, lessen carbon emissions, improve the quality of air in the metropolis, as well as to have a less stressful daily life here."

The MMDA wants to start the implementation by November 15.

They will test the scheme until January 15 and implement it for all types of vehicles from private to public, and even motorcycles and buses.

MMDA believes there are too many buses along EDSA, and most of them are not even full most of the time.

But bus operators are opposing the scheme this early. They believe the government should resolve problems on enforcement first.

Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association (SOLUBOA) President Homer Mercado says there are more private cars than buses on the road. He is also convinced commuters will also suffer if half of their fleet fail to leave the garage each day.

Operators and drivers will also be affected since they will lose half of their income daily.

SOLUBOA plans to seek a meeting with Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary De Jesus in order to prevent the implementation of the scheme.

Others are suggesting that the government just extend the number coding to public utility buses (PUBs) since they are not covered by the scheme right now.

The Metro Manila City Council will call for an emergency meeting this week to vote on whether to impose the odd-even scheme. -- with a report from Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News


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Thanks to DOTC Sec De jesus, for having the right mind to stop these stupid scheme.