Share cars, work from home to ease metro traffic - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday suggested "voluntary remedial measures" that citizens may adopt to cope with the traffic congestion in Metro Manila that is expected to worsen due to ongoing infrastructure projects.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Herminio Coloma Jr. said these measures could include company-initiated flexi-time, home office arrangements and carpooling or the sharing of rides among the travelling public.

Coloma said these measures for affected employees can contribute in easing the traffic.

"We would rather focus for now on the voluntary measures dahil mas epektibo ito, ano, kung gusto mismo ng mga naaapektuhan na gawin 'yang mga aksyon na 'yan," Coloma said.

The Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) has also suggested carpooling to help decongest traffic in the metropolis.

"Carpooling enjoys four-fold advantages: you save on gas since you take turns in using the car, you help those who do not have the money, you are not susceptible to robbers for they have to deal with six people and you cooperate with the MMDA guideline," FAPSA president Eleazardo Kasilag was quoted as saying in a STAR report.

Read: Carpooling better than 4-day school week – FAPSA

Traffic congestion in Metro Manila is expected to get heavier in the coming days due to the 15 infrastructure projects such as the Skyway Stage 3 construction.

Coloma claimed that the government had made the right preparations for the impending monstrous traffic since it has long considered several remedial measures based on advance information reaching the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

The Palace official also claimed that the government is getting enough support from stakeholders.

"I think we should also recognize that many of our people are willing to do the necessary sacrifice that is needed and they are willing to bear with the inconvenience. Hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataon na magkakaroon ng mga major projects na ganito," Coloma said.

He said government officials and employees can also help in easing the traffic by taking public transport.

Coloma was responding to a petition by clean air advocates before the Supreme Court to order government officials and employees to cut fuel consumption in half and to take public transport.

But Coloma Jr. reminded that these people should not fail to fulfill their official duties.

"Wala naman sigurong pumipigil sa akin o kahit sinumang government official na isagawa ang bagay na ‘yan. Kailangan lang sigurong unawain na meron din namang mga kinakailangang gampanan na tungkulin," Coloma said.