Palace appeals to public: Give driver-only car ban a chance

Malacañang is appealing to the outraged public to give the driver-only car ban along the congested 24-kilometer Edsa a chance.

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) came under fire over its policy that prohibits single-passenger vehicles from traversing the Edsa thoroughfare during peak hours.

Netizens have branded the policy as ineffective and discriminatory.

But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday sought the public’s understanding.

“Let’s give it a chance.  Lahat naman po ine-explore natin para magkaroon ng solusyon dito sa problema ng traffic [We are exploring all sides so we can have a solution to this perennial traffic problem],” Roque said in a press briefing.

Roque said that the MMDA’s policy was similar with those being implemented in other countries such as the United States where traffic congestion along highways was a continuing problem.

“Sa Estados Unidos po talaga, mayroon talaga silang oras na devoted din, iyong sa mga tinatawag nilang express lanes na dapat minimum of two passengers [In the United States, there is indeed a devoted time for this, in what they call express lanes for minimum of two passengers],” the spokesman explained.

“Parang iyon po ang pinaggayahan ng MMDA, na bawal iyong iisa lang pasahero for a period of time to encourage people nga to resort of carpooling [This appears to be the pattern of the MMDA, prohibiting those vehicles with only one person on board for a period of time to encourage people to resort to carpooling],” he said.

The policy, Roque said, aims to reduce vehicles on the road and encourage drivers to save on fuel.

He stressed that it does not discriminate nor disenfranchise the riding public.

“Pag may carpooling kasi, less cars on the road, at saka siyempre patuloy pong pataas ang presyo ng gasolina, makakatipid din tayo sa gasoline [If there is carpooling, there will be less cars on the road, and of course because of the rising prices of fuel, we can save gasoline],” Roque said.

“Implemented naman po iyan sa maraming parte ng daigdig, hindi naman sila nagrereklamo ng discrimination, talagang police power lang po iyan para mabawasan ang kotse sa kalye at para makapagtipid din po sa gasolina at sa diesel [This is being implemented in many parts of the globe and they are not complaining about discrimination, it is just police power so we can reduce the number of vehicles on the road and save gas or diesel],” he said. /jpv

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