Philippines ranks 2nd in worst traffic index; MMDA working on improvement

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), under new leadership, on Monday said it will work on improving traffic after the Philippines ranked second in highest congestion level in the world based on a study.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos said they are checking on infrastructure projects, areas of concerns, and deployment of enforcers to improve the traffic.

“Pina-imbentaryo ko lahat ng empleyado natin partikular na ang mga traffic enforcers natin. Pina-check ko pa ang mga infrastructure na kailangan gawin, na ongoing. Pangatlo po, ‘yung mga may problema na lugar kamukha po ng mga U-turn slots,” he said.

Based on its 2020 Traffic Index, Dutch multinational developer and creator of location technology and consumer electronics Tom Tom said Manila has 53% congestion level.

A 53% congestion level means that a 30-minute trip will take 53% more time than it would during the city’s baseline uncongested conditions, Tom Tom said.

Aside from the Philippines, the cities of Mumbai, India, and Bogota, Columbia also have a 53% congestion level.

Moscow, Russia ranked the highest congestion level at 54%.

In Tom Tom's overall ranking of worst traffic, the Philippines ranked fourth.

The Tom Tom report covered 416 cities across 57 countries on six continents. The Traffic Index ranks urban congestion worldwide and provides free access to city-by-city information. —KBK, GMA News