If you think that traffic flow has improved along EDSA, one of the country’s busiest thoroughfares, you’re probably not alone. That sentiment is shared by no less than the Chief Executive himself.
The President believes his government has solved EDSA's traffic problem
GMA News Online quoted President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks which he made during a televised interview. “Ang traffic sa EDSA maluwang na, but early on sa administration ko, it was a crisis.” (Traffic on EDSA is now light, but it was a crisis early on in my administration)
He revealed that this would not have been possible without loans. “So ang advice nila [Transportation Secretary Arthur] Tugade, ‘yung mga bright boys ko, sabi nila manghiram tayo ng pera. We can maybe adopt an MRT or somewhere paakyat. Pero basta we need money.”
(Tugade and my bright boys advised that we should borrow money. Maybe we can build a light rail system such as the MRT going up. But we’re going to need money)
Alternative modes of transport such as bicycles reduced the number of vehicles on the road
The President said that the results are now speaking for themselves. “Ito ngayon sa taas kita mo, ito na lang ang binuhos ko, ‘yung mga grant-grant doon ko binuhos yung pera. Ngayon, maluwag na ‘yung traffic ng Maynila. Talagang if you go to Cubao, airport, it’s about 15 minutes.”
(Now you can see that this is where I put all the money from those grants. Traffic in Manila is smooth. If you go to Cubao or the airport, it’s only about 15 minutes)
Skyway Stage 3 continues to divert traffic from EDSA free of charge
One of the factors cited for the lighter traffic flow is the construction of the Skyway Stage 3, which links the North and South Luzon Expressways to allow travelers to bypass EDSA.
Operated by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), the 18-kilometer elevated tollway was officially opened in January 2021. Motorists have been using the roadway free of charge despite toll rates having been approved, as SMC can only collect fees once the project is 100 percent complete.
People have largely stayed indoors due to pandemic restrictions
Various other traffic management projects are underway all over Metro Manila despite the pandemic. Quarantine restrictions still confine many of its denizens to working from home since March 2020, resulting in fewer vehicles on the road compared to previous years.
More traffic updates at Philkotse.com.