HPG says Cubao to Makati in 5 minutes doable before December

The 5-minute travel time from Cubao in Quezon City to Makati City may be realized sooner than the December deadline set by President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said Monday.

“We will comply with the order of the President. Sabi ni President by December, so kaya namin before," PNP-HPG Director Brig. Gen. Roberto Fajardo told reporters on the sidelines of the “Angkas Pilot Run” in Quezon City.

Earlier this month, Duterte committed to shorten the travel time from Cubao to Makati to five minutes by December.

“You don’t have to worry about traffic ... Cubao and Makati will be about five minutes na lang ... You just wait. Ayaw kong mag-ano—but things will improve ... maybe, God willing, December smooth sailing na,” the President said.

Fajardo said the PNP-HPG is looking at three measures to implement along EDSA:

• close down all bus terminals

• transfer all bus barriers

• transfer the motorcycle lane

The 5-minute travel time is currently possible, albeit during off-peak hours, Fajardo noted.

“Tinira namin ‘yun, madaling araw nga lang, 1:00 a.m., boundary of Guadalupe going to Cubao. Wala namang sinabi si Presidente kung saan nagmula,” he said.

Pressed for more details on this, Fajardo said the simulation was conducted last weekend, using a private car that was driven within the speed limit.

At the same event, motorcycle taxi app Angkas turned over 50 crash helmets which the PNP-HPG will hand over to their ticketing officers. This will complement the vehicles recently donated by businessman Ramon S. Ang.

“Part of preparation para dun sa BMW na motorcycle na dinonate ni Ramon Ang, and we will utilize this in EDSA operations. Fifty rin ‘yung motorcycle na BMW,” Fajardo said. —VDS/NB, GMA News