CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON EDSA. This photo that went viral on social media on Tuesday night was taken at 10:30 p.m. at the peak of the traffic jam that turned Edsa into a giant parking lot and stranded tens of thousands of tired, hungry and angry motorists and commuters. It was taken by Myk Josh Wierzbicki from the 18th floor of Paragon Condominium Plaza on Edsa corner Reliance Street.
Following last Tuesday’s torrential rains which caused flashfloods and left thousands of commuters and motorists stranded in Metro Manila, a Palace official on Friday said it will take time to scale up the road and flood control infrastructure in the metropolis.
While saying that concerned government agencies were doing their jobs, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma admitted that the September 8 “carmageddon” exposed the “inadequacy” in existing infrastructure.
“The severe traffic congestion that was triggered by heavy rains and flash floods clearly showed the inadequacy of existing road and flood control infrastructure that will take time to be scaled up,” Coloma said.
READ: Flash floods trigger Metro Manila ‘carmageddon’
Coloma also highlighted the importance of the role of traffic enforcers in reducing road congestion, saying that they have to exert more effort.
“Traffic enforcers will also have to work doubly hard to improve their responsiveness such that, if last Tuesday’s situation recurs, normal traffic flow may be restored more expeditiously,” he said.
Amid worsening traffic situation in the capital region, President Benigno Aquino III has assigned the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to man the traffic in Edsa, Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.
READ: Mixed reviews for HPG traffic enforcers on Day 1 | 20 SAF commandos reassigned to join HPG on Edsa
But Coloma also maintained that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has been closely coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on how to alleviate flooding in the metropolis.
“MMDA has carried out its responsibilities in terms of flood control and drainage in collaboration with DPWH that is the lead agency in implementing 20-year flood control master plan. MMDA has also been working with LGUs in clearing road obstructions,” he said.
Presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte, meanwhile, assured the public that efforts were “concentrated on measures to alleviate the situation.”
“Kasama na dito ang pagtatanggal ng DPWH ng mga balakid sa maaliwalas na gamit ‘di lamang ng mga main road kundi ang mga alternative routes na gagamitin. Sinisumulan natin ang pagsasaayos sa Edsa para mas gumaan ang daloy ng trapiko. Umaaasa ang lahat ng nakatutok dito na ang mga hakbang na ito, kasama ng pagdedeploy ng HPG sa Edsa, ay makatulong sa sitwasyon,” Valte said.
(The DPWH is moving to remove roadblocks not just on main roads but on alternative routes as well. We are now putting order on Edsa to ease traffic. All observers are expecting that these measures, including the deployment of the HPG on Edsa, will help ease the situation.) Yuji Vincent Gonzales/IDL