Highway Patrol Group: Traffic woes more challenging than car theft

MANILA, Philippines - The traffic problem in Metro Manila is more challenging than catching carjackers, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao said yesterday.

Gunnacao said going after car thieves only needs surveillance and arrest after they are pinpointed, while decongesting traffic entails persuading each driver and motorist to observe discipline.

“It is easy to pinpoint the carnapping perpetrators (because) there are only a few of them. But the traffic situation? We need to convince everyone to cooperate,” Gunnacao said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Malacañang gave assurance yesterday the newest order of President Aquino transferring some traffic management duties to the Philippine National Police’s HPG would not be a superficial solution to traffic woes as reports of systemic and entrenched corruption among those enforcing traffic laws would be addressed.

Asked about alleged “butaw” or fees given to certain authorities on a weekly or monthly basis by operators of colorum public utility vehicles, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Palace would ask the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to act on these reports.

“The whole exercise is really to make sure that we allow traffic to flow. That’s been a concern in Manila… So, all these things… we will forward it to LTFRB and MMDA for proper guidance and action,” Lacierda said.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said yesterday, “We cannot fail… We will try our level best to make sure that we restore some level of sanity on EDSA.”

Marquez said the HPG will make sure that the intersections are not blocked, no counterflow will be allowed and yellow bus lanes will be observed.

“We will establish how much time is required to travel from Balintawak to Pasay rotunda. After some time, probably on Monday, we’ll test if there would be good results. Otherwise, we’re going to pull out everybody,” he said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is readying the turnover of its traffic management functions to the HPG on Monday as its chairman, Francis Tolentino, yesterday met with Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras to fine-tune operational details.

President Aquino earlier ordered the HPG to take the lead in traffic law enforcement along EDSA’s 23.8-kilometer stretch and to prioritize the clearing of six identified choke points: Balintawak, Cubao, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Guadalupe and Taft Avenue.

The order, in effect, relegated the MMDA, Land Transportation Office (LTO) and LTFRB to playing only supporting roles.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos hailed Aquino’s order, hoping the plan will finally lead to traffic decongestion. With Aurea Calica, Mike Frialde, Mayen Jaymalin, Aie Balagtas See