Suggested traffic fix: Private villages can open roads for a fee

As traffic in Metro Manila gets worse and requires more alternative routes, a House bill wants private subdivisions to open at least one road per village for public use, for which they can charge a minimal fee from motorists who will pass through.

The measure, authored by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and brother Abante Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez, leaves it to the Department of Public Works and Highways to determine which road in a subdivision would be most useful in decongesting traffic in an area.

Not all vehicles can use the selected road but only those weighing not more than 4,500 kilos, the bill said.

Homeowners’ associations opening their gates will be allowed to collect a fee not exceeding P5 per vehicle passing through, or a make an annual collection of P300 per motorist. The collected amount could be used to defray the cost of hiring additional security personnel and road maintenance.

“It cannot be denied that the present traffic mess has affected the productivity of otherwise productive individuals to a great extent. The unproductive time spent by many in commuting has not only affected their personal advancement in their careers or professions but also the economic growth of the country in general,” the lawmakers said.

The proposed law encourages the private sector to support efforts in finding solutions to the capital’s perennial traffic problem, they added.