Metro mayors agree to continue with 'EDSA driver-only ban' dry run

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Friday "unanimously" agreed to continue with the dry run of its high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) policy, which bans single-occupant vehicles on EDSA during rush hour.

"Unanimously, nag-approve ang council na continue ang dry run," said Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia in a press conference after the meeting.

Garcia urged motorists to try carpooling and to cooperate with the policy, which aims to ease traffic on EDSA during morning and afternoon rush hour.

"Ito ay ikabubuti ng lahat, hindi puwedeng isang sektor lang ang magsakripisyo dahil ang makikinabang lahat. Ito ang lagi naming sinasabi, hindi ito 24/7. Ito ay 3 hours in the morning and in the evening," he said.

MMC is composed of Metro Manila mayors and is currently chaired by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Bautista, during the press conference, said the scheme aims to "educate the public on the value of carpooling."

The full implementation of the scheme, supposedly set for August 23, was deferred after the Senate appealed to conduct a public consultation or hearing first.

The move to ban driver-only vehicles along EDSA received flak from the public, with comments ranging from humorous social media messages to serious concerns about practicality and commuters.

Garcia, during the press conference, denied that the policy was "anti-private vehicle."

He also said the MMC has agreed to increase the penalty for illegal parking, which is blamed of heavy traffic in secondary roads. —KBK, GMA News