Abalos to close shops that obstruct traffic

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos has proposed to revoke the licenses of businesses which tend to obstruct traffic in the metropolis.

Abalos said that he would go after the run-of-the-mill businesses such as vulcanizing shops and repair shops that use roads as their working areas.

He pointed out that the operations of these businesses encroach on the roads and effectively narrow down the maneuverability of vehicles.
Another area of concern is the proliferation of illegal terminals on the roads which worsen the traffic situation.

Abalos noted that jeepneys, tricycles and buses have converted the public roads into terminals all over the metropolis.

He issued an order to MMDA executive director for traffic, Ernesto Camarillo, yesterday to clear up the streets of illegal terminals in order to ease up traffic, at the concerned areas.

Abalos also reiterated that public utility vehicles should have their own garages in order to avoid being penalized by the MMDA.

It was revealed that the franchises of the PUVs concerned would be revoked if they fail to heed the order of the MMDA.

"By merely enforcing our laws and by merely having discipline amongst our drivers and our pedestrians, we might be able to ease our traffic situation," Abalos said.

In line with the efforts to improve the traffic situation, Abalos said that he would set up a meeting with the Traffic Enforcement Group of the MMDA and the Traffic Management Group of the Philippine National Police to settle the issue of jurisdiction between the two entities.

Abalos stressed that there should only be one group that will manage traffic in Metro Manila.

"One agency has to give way. There should only be one authority, you cannot have two authorities," Abalos said.

Previously Abalos said that the police should leave the management of traffic to the MMDA and focus their attention on police work.