Measures in place to address worst traffic tag in Metro Manila – Coloma 

Malacañang on Thursday said both immediate measures and long-term programs are being implemented by the Aquino government to improve the traffic flow in metro cities following the result of a Global Driver Satisfaction Index report identifying Manila to have the worst traffic on Earth. 

 

“Ang mahalaga ay ‘yung determinasyon natin na pabutihin ‘yung sitwasyon at tukuyin ‘yung mga suliranin at bigyan ng epektibong solusyon,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a media briefing. 

 

Coloma admitted that traffic in Metro Manila not only hampers economic activities, but also affects the health of motorists and commuters alike. 

 

He said that while immediate measures are already in place, implementation of long-term programs are also underway as part of the government’s transport roadmap. 

 

Recently, President Benigno Aquino III instructed the PNP Highway Patrol Group to take over traffic management along EDSA. 

 

“Ang responsibilidad natin ay pawiin ‘yung ganoong klaseng impresyon at palitan ito ng mas magandang pagkilala at patuloy naman natin itong ginagawa,” said Coloma. 

 

According to community-based traffic and navigation app Waze, Metro Manila has the worst traffic on Earth on a city level. 

 

The evaluation was made through 50 million users in 32 countries and 167 metro areas, and from a 10 (satisfying) to 1 (miserable) grading system, the Philippines got 0.4.

 

The roads of the Philippines have also been reported to be one of the worst to drive on because of the frequency and severity of traffic jams, poor road infrastructures, among other reasons. — RSJ, GMA News