Megawide chair calls for substantial improvement in Metro Manila traffic

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s traffic situation continues to worsen and tycoon Edgar Saavedra of listed engineering and construction conglomerate Megawide Construction Corp. has joined millions of Filipinos in calling for substantial improvement in the traffic system.

Saavedra, chairman and co-founder of Megawide, told The STAR that the traffic situation in Metro Manila “needs to be substantially improved.”

“Although Metro Manila is comprised of multiple, separate local government units, it is a highly symbiotic region. Currently, however, each LGU implements its own traffic rules and regulations, which can sometimes conflict with one another. The result is a confusing and problematic traffic system,” he said.

“In order to best address this problem, we need to ensure that Metro Manila (all of its cities) implement traffic and development standards that are cohesive, consistent, and interconnected. We also need to ensure that we plan for both short and long term,” Saavedra said.

In a report last February, the Japan International Cooperation Agency said the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila is costing the country P3.5 billion in missed economic opportunities daily, a significant rise from the P2.4 billion estimate in 2014.

Saavedra is suggesting short term solutions that are able to address the most urgent problems with little to no need for major construction work.

“Often, these kinds of solutions can deliver optimal results at a fraction of the cost of major infrastructure works,” he said.

The Megawide official said the proper agencies and decision-makers who are in charge of creating and implementing the regulations must first be correctly and authoritatively identified.

These agencies, he said, must have the right “technocrats” to research, craft, and make decisions on traffic solutions, while the enforcers on the ground must also be given complete and proper technical training in traffic management.  

Saavedra said standards implemented in one city should be also the standard for all, which can be as simple as improving and standardizing the design for sidewalks, zebra lanes, parking areas, and the number of vehicle lanes.

“Policy and guidelines must be properly defined and aligned for all cities in Metro Manila if we are to solve the problem. The key factor in all of these solutions is implementation throughout Metro Manila, not just in one or two LGUs. Metro Manila cities are highly connected and interdependent on one another,” he said.

Saavedra said long term measures include additional solutions that can be developed now in order to meet the growing demands of the population and the economy in the coming years.

“These are the infrastructure projects which can be heavier in cost and will require major construction, such as elevated roads and mass transit systems like the planned subway,” he said.

Megawide is among the country’s leading engineering firms and is known for using the most advanced systems and technologies in Philippine construction.