Mayors to HPG: Your traffic plans for Edsa should jibe with ours

To ease traffic along secondary roads in the capital, Metro Manila mayors on Thursday asked the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to harmonize its traffic plans with those of the cities traversed by Edsa.

Joining the call was Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Francis Tolentino, during a meeting with HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao at the Manila Yacht Club.

The HPG starting taking over the traffic management of the country’s busiest highway on Sept. 7, with MMDA traffic constables now playing a supporting role. The policemen initially focused on untangling the gridlock at six intersections along the 24-km artery.

According to Tolentino, the Metro Manila Council, MMDA’s policymaking body composed of the mayors, wants a direct communication link with the HPG regarding its plans for the highway.

Tolentino said the mayors wanted a “harmonious relationship” in managing traffic along Edsa and other roads linked to the main thoroughfare for better implementation of traffic rules.

“This will apply especially to the cities linked to Edsa like Caloocan, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Makati and Pasig,” he said.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said the focus of traffic management should not be on Edsa alone.

“Secondary roads like Shaw Boulevard also experience heavy traffic which also needs attention,” said Abalos, noting that a common ground is needed for a unified traffic management system.

He said the HPG should coordinate with them on its planned road closures in their localities so they could also plan alternative routes.

Meanwhile, Manila Vice Mayor Franciso Domagoso said a centralized traffic management would create a sense of responsibility on the part of the lead agency and local governments affected.

“We hope to have one penalty, one ticket and one law for Metro in terms of traffic management,” Domagoso said.

He said the MMC had also agreed to clear main roads and alternative routes of illegally parked vehicles.