AmCham expert: 1M vehicles to render Metro Manila uninhabitable in 2020

Considering the yearly increase of vehicles on the streets of Metro Manila, the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines on Tuesday warned that the metropolis is now at risk of becoming unsuitable for living over the next four years.

"Metro Manila is at risk of becoming uninhabitable as annual new car growth increases to 500,000 by 2020," said John D. Forbes, a senior adviser at the ACCP.

Citing data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), Forbes said some 350,000 new cars are expected to be sold in the country this year, 40,000 more than the 310,000 sold in 2015.

"At this rate of growth, the number (of new cars) will reach 500,000 in 2020, which will add to about one million more cars to Manila's streets. Manila has very little road space," Forbes said.

"While roads are being improved throughout the country, the National Capital Region (NCR) urgently needs more limited access roads, especially skyways, and rail," he added.

Forbes said the government must take remedial actions to address the growing concern, citing several issues such as the "chaotic" bus system.

Forbes also cited the current situation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, saying that more flights should be shifted to the Clark International Airport.

"With congestion throttling tourism growth at NAIA, more flights must be shifted to Clark, the new airport terminal there should be built in the next two years with a non-stop fast train connector similar to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Tokyo," Forbes said.

Forbes said that traffic has also worsened in other large cities such as Cebu, Davao, and Baguio.

"Moving between cities is much better because of the significant Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) program to improve national roads but within the cities public transportation is poor," Forbes said.

Sought for comment, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said that the government has already taken steps to address the issue.

"It is as if walang ginagawa but there are so many things being done, naumpisahan, na-award na, ginagawa na," LTFRB Chairman Winston M. Ginez told reporters in Quezon City.

Ginez noted several infrastructure projects rolled out under the Aquino administration -- the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) Cavite Extension Project, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Railway from Malolos, Bulacan to Calamba, Laguna.

"Those projects are going to address the issue," he said. —NB, GMA News