A P50-B monument?

Since the time of Ferdinand Marcos to present day President Noynoy Aquino, one thing that repeats itself after each “presidential trip abroad” is a manifestation of envy and our “gaya-gaya” nature.

It is not a sin to aspire to have good things such as Cultural Centers, hospitals or even the double deck EDSA as being proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). But oftentimes, visionary leaders are either 20 years ahead of their time or P50 billion poorer to afford such a project.

In the case of the proposed P50-B elevated EDSA highway, spending that kind of money to ease the traffic is equivalent to building a new house over a termite infested house. It will only be a matter of time until the termites move up and ruin the new structure.

Just ask regular commuters and drivers who pass through EDSA and they will immediately spell out what the problems are:

Set #1: Too many buses fighting over a limited number of passengers; very few bus stops for all destinations resulting in jam-packed conditions; bus drivers cutting off each other and blocking the highway; traffic enforcers not focusing on public utility but on private vehicles.

SOLUTION: Reduce and remove dilapidated buses, transfer non-air-conditioned buses to provincial routes. Use government property along EDSA to set up multi-level bus terminals designed like an airport similar to those in Holland.

Create a special team of enforcers with special incentives to clamp down on drivers obstructing or causing traffic. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino should have independent spotters or a reporting system so commuter can report when enforcers are standing around in groups of four to five men waiting to pounce on private motorists but blind to traffic stalls especially in front of Ateneo and Miriam.

Set #2: The MRT and LRT are not meeting the needs or addressing the concerns of commuters.

SOLUTION: MRT and LRT should have more trains running at shorter intervals and operate one hour earlier from current schedule.

In addition, access to MRT and LRT should be direct and not in or around malls and shopping centers such as in Taft or at EDSA Central where the circuitous walk eats up on the time of commuters.

MRT and LRT should have other ticket offices outside of terminals so people can buy tickets or tokens ahead of time or at their convenience just like cell phone companies.

Set #3: The DPWH should first finish what was started in previous administrations.

SOLUTION: DPWH should concentrate on finishing road projects such as the C-5 from the University of the Philippines in Diliman all the way to Mindanao Avenue before they start talking about borrowing P50 billion to build another highway that will never be finished after P-Noy leaves office.

If DPWH Secretary Singson wants an innovative Public Private Partnership project to ease traffic, he should pitch for an On-ramp and Off-ramp entering UP, Ateneo and La Salle so that the thousands of cars that create traffic along Katipunan Avenue and Ortigas will simply drive in and out of the schools in a smooth way.

Set #4: Review, correct and improve current structures, roadways and policies that directly affect or contribute to traffic build up on EDSA.

One major reason for traffic on EDSA is the build-up created by “funnels” or embudos in the design of roads.

Southbound on EDSA the construction of a two-lane flyover to NAIA took away one lane which is much needed and more used than that going to NAIA. How come no flyover or underground road was made crossing Taft avenue considering it is one of the busiest intersections along EDSA?

While Senators are talking about privatization, the DPWH should study new routes and roads particularly highways that could cut through or go-around Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo as well as Fort Bonifacio and Villamor air base.

Why not expand and develop the riverside roadway along the Pasig and build more bridges so that more towns will benefit from the infrastructure? What about a fly-over from Katipunan Avenue to EDSA south bound to correct the road block that the MRT created.

Two weeks ago I found myself lost in UP Diliman due to a security system that limits the access and entry of vehicles in or out of UP. For starters there were no visible signs that tell commuters WITHOUT UP stickers where to pass. As a result, I had to join the hundreds of trucks, cars and cabs using the Stud farm road going to Katipunan.

I have no doubt that modern engineering and road designs could be used to construct new roads that will benefit motorists but will also insure the safety of government facilities and properties. 

As a final thought, my wife reminded me of how the MRT design on EDSA had to be changed because rich people from Urdaneta, North Forbes, San Lorenzo and Dasmarinas Village where up in arms because daily commuters on the MRT would get to see how the rich and famous lived.

Does Secretary Singson really believe those same people would sit idly by and allow an elevated EDSA to be built? I doubt very much Mr. Secretary. Those people are too set in their ways to even realize that they are living in the MOST polluted strip of real estate in the Philippines.

So none to worry people, it won’t happen because the rich won’t allow it. In the meantime, let us pray that Secretary Singson, Chairman Tolentino and other leaders would take time to consider our collective suggestions on how to solve traffic without building a P50-billion monument for the Aquino administration.

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