Moratorium on car sales needed —solon

It is necessary to place a temporary moratorium on car sales in view of upcoming infrastructure projects to address the country's traffic problem, a lawmaker said on Thursday.

At a hearing of the House of Representatives committee on transportation, Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento pointed out that while there are many infrastructure projects that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) intends do in the coming months, the increasing number of private cars may be a stumbling block.
 
“If we will start constructing all the needed infrastructures, it’s going to eat up space," Sarmiento noted. "That’s the problem ... With all of these cars on the road – while the road is not increasing – how do we go about it?”

The committee is holding a hearing on the proposed bills seeking to grant emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to address the country’s traffic problem.
 
“So, my humble proposal: Are you willing, Mr. Secretary, for a moratorium on the sales of cars while we are building the infrastructures?” Sarmiento asked.
  
Sarmiento cited data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) which showed the number cars sold have increased significantly in last six years.
 
From 168,000 cars sold in 2010, the number has increased to 269,000 cars in 2014 and to 350,000 cars in 2015, Sarmiento noted.
 
“Or easily: While we are discussing things here, 958 vehicles are being sold daily … Filipinos can very well afford cars. That’s the reason why we have congestions,” Sarmiento said.

Uninhabitable metropolis
 
Based on a study by the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (AmCham), Metro Manila may become uninhabitable by 2020 if the annual car sales continue to increase, according to the lawmaker.
 
“There is a study right now that by 2020, if the rate of car sales will not change, Metro Manila will be uninhabitable.”
 
At a press conference in January, AmCham senior adviser John D. Forbes noted car sales were projected to reach 500,000 by 2020, a number that places Metro Manila at risk of becoming uninhabitable.
 
"While roads are being improved throughout the country, the National Capital Region (NCR) urgently needs more limited access roads, especially skyways, and rail," Forbes said.

Despite suggesting a moratorium on car sales, Sarmiento acknowledged the need to improve the country’s mass transport system to encourage motorists to patronize public transportation.
 
Among the measures the DOTr should consider is providing more lanes along EDSA and C-5 to accommodate rapid bus transit (BRT) services, the lawmaker noted.
 
Sarmiento urged the DOTr to study the possibility of converting one lane on EDSA and C-5 into a BRT lane.
 
“We must think out of the box because the traffic is already a nightmare, it’s a reality,” said Sarmiento, who is also a civil engineer.
 
A BRT System is a special form of mass transportation using modern buses that ply along exclusive lanes and use specific stations.
 
In response, Tugade said his office will study the feasibility of Sarmiento’s proposals. — VDS/JST, GMA News