PNP-HPG chief: Cubao to Makati in 5 minutes possible

MANILA, Philippines – Travel time from Cubao, Quezon City to Makati City in five minutes is possible as promised by President Rodrigo Duterte, the director of the Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said Monday.

PNP-HPG director Brig. Gen. Roberto Fajardo said the targeted travel time between the two key business centers is possible even before the end of the year or earlier than the deadline set by the President.

“We will enforce traffic laws. If masusunod ‘yun, I think masosolusyonan ‘yung order ng Presidente (If traffic laws are obeyed, I think the order of the President can be realized),” Fajardo said in a chance interview.

Fajardo admitted that the order of the President will be a challenge to law enforcers, but said that the PNP-HPG will do its best to achieve the goal.

“You will see. We will comply with the orders of the President. Kung hindi man five minutes ‘yun, eh ‘di gawin naming four minutes (If not five minutes, then we will make it four minutes,” he said in jest.

Fajardo said “preparations are ongoing” for faster travel along Edsa, and that the PNP-HPG is currently meeting with the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on measures to improve traffic flow along the major thoroughfare.

He said that in a recent simulation, PNP-HPG  personnel travelling  in a private vehicle were able to travel from Cubao to Makati in five minutes – but with police escorts.

To meet the goal set by Duterte, Fajardo said the use of bus lanes should be strictly enforced, bus terminals along Edsa should be shut down and the motorcycle lane should be on the third lane instead of  on the fast lane.

“Why? Para ‘yung fast lane talagang mabilis, hindi nag-aagawan, para ‘yung motorcycle hindi nakikipagpatintero sa mga mabilis na sasakyan,” he said.

(Why? So that the fast lane will really be fast and the motorcycles will not travel alongside the fast vehicles.)

Fajardo said the PNP-HPG is also planning to deploy 50 BMW motorcycles to be used by its personnel to strictly enforce traffic rules along Edsa by July this year. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

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