MMDA working to speed up Metro
October 27, 2003 | 12:00am
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando said yesterday the agency is working to improve the speed of vehicular traffic in the metropolis from an average of 18 kilometers per hour (kph) to at least 25 kph by December this year.
In his radio program "MMDA sa GMA," Fernando said he is optimistic that the flow of traffic would become faster once they remove all the road obstructions and complete 15 pedestrian overpasses in Metro Manila.
"Kailangan i-clear ang roadways. This, plus the completion of projects such as pedestrian overpasses along major thoroughfares and the U-turns as well as teaching drivers about discipline. All these are contributing factors that would eventually improve the flow of traffic," he said.
Fernando, who recently returned from Japan, said he observed similarities between the streets in Tokyo and Metro Manila.
"The average speed of vehicles in Tokyo is 18 kph, ganyan din dito sa Metro Manila. Tayo mapapabilis pa natin ito, mga 25 kph basta mawala lang ang mga harang," he pointed out.
However, he admitted there are obstacles to the realization of his plans. He cited five local government officials who have not been cooperative with the MMDA’s strict traffic programs. He declined to name them.
The MMDA has been implementing a strong and relentless campaign against illegal vendors, to which some mayors have objected.
"Ang nangyayari lumalakas ang loob nila at sumusuway sa ini-implement naming regulations dahil alam nila may suporta sila ng mayor nila."
Fernando said he has been visiting Japan for the last 30 years, admitting that the country has been a major source of his inspiration and ideas for his development projects. He has applied these in Marikina City, where he served as mayor for nine years, and now at the MMDA.
For instance, he noted, motorists are prohibited from parking or stopping within the red asphalt roads.
Public transport fares are also more expensive in Japan than in Metro Manila, he pointed out. Japanese commuters have to pay between ¥100 to ¥140, which is equivalent to one $1 or P55 for public transport whereas, in Metro Manila, the lowest fare is P4 for public utility jeepneys and buses.
"I will finish what I have started."
Fernando said he is banking on the completion of traffic and transport infrastructure projects to realize his vision of a Mega Manila.
"My priority for the people of Metro Manila is to help fast-track the implementation of ongoing road and rail transport infrastructure projects," said Fernando, a consistent award winner and a former three-term mayor of Marikina City, one of the bustling cities of the metropolis.
Fernando explained that Mega Manila is not a far-fetched concept considering the successes he had achieved in his stint as former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways and chairman of the MMDA.
Mega Manila is a concept of an expanded urban area with growth corridors reaching the key cities of greater Metro Manila areas, including Region III and Region IV within a 100 kilometer radius.
Fernando, who announced his bid for the vice presidential derby in the 2004 elections, has formulated the Metro Manila Mass Transport System (MMMTS) that seeks, among others, to interconnect all existing modes of transportation, including the Metro Rail Transit 3, Light Rail Transits 1 and 2, and other land-based transport modes.
He said his provincial bus terminals in the northern and southern part of EDSA would effectively discard the need for provincial buses to ply Metro Manila, thereby easing the traffic flow on Edsa and other major thoroughfares.
He also believes that Mega Manila would not be realized without laying down the groundwork for efficient traffic and transport management.
"That’s why we have not let up on our campaign against all forms of road obstructions like illegal vendors and the widening of roads on major thoroughfares," he said.
In his radio program "MMDA sa GMA," Fernando said he is optimistic that the flow of traffic would become faster once they remove all the road obstructions and complete 15 pedestrian overpasses in Metro Manila.
"Kailangan i-clear ang roadways. This, plus the completion of projects such as pedestrian overpasses along major thoroughfares and the U-turns as well as teaching drivers about discipline. All these are contributing factors that would eventually improve the flow of traffic," he said.
Fernando, who recently returned from Japan, said he observed similarities between the streets in Tokyo and Metro Manila.
"The average speed of vehicles in Tokyo is 18 kph, ganyan din dito sa Metro Manila. Tayo mapapabilis pa natin ito, mga 25 kph basta mawala lang ang mga harang," he pointed out.
However, he admitted there are obstacles to the realization of his plans. He cited five local government officials who have not been cooperative with the MMDA’s strict traffic programs. He declined to name them.
The MMDA has been implementing a strong and relentless campaign against illegal vendors, to which some mayors have objected.
"Ang nangyayari lumalakas ang loob nila at sumusuway sa ini-implement naming regulations dahil alam nila may suporta sila ng mayor nila."
Fernando said he has been visiting Japan for the last 30 years, admitting that the country has been a major source of his inspiration and ideas for his development projects. He has applied these in Marikina City, where he served as mayor for nine years, and now at the MMDA.
For instance, he noted, motorists are prohibited from parking or stopping within the red asphalt roads.
Public transport fares are also more expensive in Japan than in Metro Manila, he pointed out. Japanese commuters have to pay between ¥100 to ¥140, which is equivalent to one $1 or P55 for public transport whereas, in Metro Manila, the lowest fare is P4 for public utility jeepneys and buses.
Fernando said he is banking on the completion of traffic and transport infrastructure projects to realize his vision of a Mega Manila.
"My priority for the people of Metro Manila is to help fast-track the implementation of ongoing road and rail transport infrastructure projects," said Fernando, a consistent award winner and a former three-term mayor of Marikina City, one of the bustling cities of the metropolis.
Fernando explained that Mega Manila is not a far-fetched concept considering the successes he had achieved in his stint as former Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways and chairman of the MMDA.
Mega Manila is a concept of an expanded urban area with growth corridors reaching the key cities of greater Metro Manila areas, including Region III and Region IV within a 100 kilometer radius.
Fernando, who announced his bid for the vice presidential derby in the 2004 elections, has formulated the Metro Manila Mass Transport System (MMMTS) that seeks, among others, to interconnect all existing modes of transportation, including the Metro Rail Transit 3, Light Rail Transits 1 and 2, and other land-based transport modes.
He said his provincial bus terminals in the northern and southern part of EDSA would effectively discard the need for provincial buses to ply Metro Manila, thereby easing the traffic flow on Edsa and other major thoroughfares.
He also believes that Mega Manila would not be realized without laying down the groundwork for efficient traffic and transport management.
"That’s why we have not let up on our campaign against all forms of road obstructions like illegal vendors and the widening of roads on major thoroughfares," he said.
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