Birthing pains
Last Monday saw the PNP HPG formally take over managing traffic on EDSA. The plan is to spend the whole week assessing and identifying the causes of the congestion, and implement solutions. Right away, a problem was identified and fixed. Many motorists know all too well that vendors at the Balintawak market have occupied at least a lane of EDSA, while another lane served as a parking lot for both delivery vehicles and shoppers. The HPG had the area cleared, thereby easing traffic in the area to the surprise and delight of many motorists, some even calling it a miracle. The solution was there all along. It just needed to be implemented. It begs to be asked why the vendors were allowed to sell on the road in the first place. The road is for vehicles and sidewalks are for people. The HPG must repeat the same thing on other areas where public markets are located, such as MuÒoz, which is also along EDSA. Other choke points are still being assessed as to what can be done. Not an easy task by any means, as the sheer volume of vehicles remains the main cause of traffic congestion.
There were some birthing pains experienced. Provincial buses are no longer allowed on EDSA. They should now use C5, taking P. Tuazon to get there. This caused some traffic in the area, with large buses traversing the small road. The HPG is hoping that motorists will adjust in the coming days, now that they know of the rerouting.
I do believe the HPG earned their keep last Monday. An ambulance and a private vehicle were involved in road rage on EDSA. Apparently, the driver of the private vehicle turned out to be a policeman, who drew his gun and threatened the ambulance driver. Luckily, there were HPG personnel in the area who promptly disarmed and arrested him. I can imagine that if MMDA traffic enforcers were the only ones at the scene, this obviously arrogant policeman would ignore if not threaten them as well. He had no right drawing his firearm in a non-life threatening situation, where a crime was not even in progress. It is this kind of person who should not be a law enforcer in the first place. His "power-tripping" could get someone killed. The HPG have removed a dangerous man from the streets, hopefully permanently.
Many are hopeful that traffic at EDSA will improve now that the HPG are handling it. There are the skeptics and naysayers, but that is to be expected. But we should agree that the HPG cannot do it alone. Motorists need to do their part. If a vehicle breaks down, proceed to the nearest emergency bay if possible. If an accident occurs, investigators must be quick to get the facts and clear the road. And commuters must not encroach on the already congested streets. They need to line up properly. If everyone pitches in, and if the HPG can keep the undesirables such as the sorry excuse for a policeman, then maybe there is hope.
We hope.
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