MMDA suspends ban on ‘singles’

A MMDA traffic enforcer jots down the plate number of violators of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) traffic scheme during its dry run along EDSA-Magallanes, Makati City. The scheme prohibits driver-only vehicles from traversing EDSA, from North EDSA in Quezon City to Magallanes in Makati City on rush hour to ease traffic on the main thoroughfare. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

Amid strong public backlash and a unanimous Senate resolution opposing the measure, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has suspended the full implementation of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) policy along Edsa scheduled on Aug. 23, pending a formal decision from the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia on Friday, however, said they would still continue with the dry run banning driver-only vehicles along Edsa during rush hours until the MMC convenes next week.

The announcement came just two days after the measure was rolled out on Wednesday amid strong opposition.

Critics pointed out that most private car owners could not afford to hire drivers, and are also deprived of viable public transport options.

Senate resolution

The controversial new policy restricts use of Edsa by single-driver vehicles from 7 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

The strong resistance against the policy came to a head when the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution urging the MMC to recall the measure.

Led by Senate President Vicente Sotto, the lawmakers argued that the MMDA should not have implemented such a policy without prior public consultation.

A copy of Senate Resolution 123 was sent to the MMDA on Friday morning urging the agency to suspend the implementation of the HOV scheme.

The resolution was initiated by Sotto, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

Drilon sponsored the resolution that drew no objections.

All senators present on the floor asked to be made coauthors.

Garcia conceded that it was the Senate resolution that prompted the suspension.

However, he said only the MMC, which adopted the proposal, could decide whether to terminate the measure completely.

The official, however, remained resolute that the HOV lane policy should be tested as the agency was under immense pressure to decongest the capital.

Worsening traffic

Over the last two years, the traffic situation in Manila has been exacerbated by the ongoing infrastructure projects under President Duterte’s “Build Build Build” program.

It even worsened due to the onslaught of the rainy season as floods placed the metropolis in a gridlock.

“We need to do something. We cannot just wait for these infrastructure projects for three, four years,” he said. “There is no overnight solution. We all must make sacrifices.”

As such, Garcia appealed to the public anew to give the policy “a chance” and to participate in the dry run to test its effectiveness.

However, the MMDA would still not impose penalties on erring motorists during the dry-run period.

This means anyone flagged down either by the agency’s no-contact apprehension policy or by traffic enforcers would only be given a verbal warning.

Neomie Recio, MMDA traffic engineering director, told the Inquirer that the measure should take out at least 1,500 vehicles every hour from Edsa in both directions for it to be considered effective in easing traffic.

The policy has since apprehended over 7,000 erring motorists.

‘Back to the drawing board’

Sen. Grace Poe on Friday welcomed the suspension of the ban on solo-driven cars on Edsa, as she urged the MMDA to “go back to the drawing board” and find better solutions.

“Time to go back to the drawing board to think hard what can be done to solve our traffic woes,” she said in a statement.

“Policies should always be practical, implementable and in line with public interest,” said Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee.

“Probably, we don’t need new policies, just strict implementation of existing laws and regulations. Do public consultation first,” she said.