MMDA wants 4-day school week due to upcoming infra projects

Published February 14, 2014 11:37am

(Updated 8:00 p.m.) The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is proposing a four-day school week to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila, which is expected to worsen due to upcoming infrastructure projects.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino recommended to the Department of Education (DepEd) a Monday-to-Thursday school week for all elementary and high schools in Metro Manila, a GMA News TV report on Friday said.

The shortened school week will take effect for two years if approved by the DepEd, while major infrastructure projects in the metro are under construction, the report added.

The DepEd will conduct consultations on the MMDA's proposal this summer, the report likewise said.

Among the government's major infrastructure projects this year is the Skyway Project Stage 3, which will complete the Metro Manila Skyway System from Alabang to Balintawak.

Construction on the Skyway Project will commence at 10 p.m. on Monday according to a separate report on GMA's “24-Oras” aired on Friday evening.

“Gateway 'yan. Yan 'yung galing pagbaba ng Buendia. Skyway tapos Buendia papunta na 'yun ng San Andres. 'Yun 'yung center island. Game na 'yun sa alas diyes ng Feb. 17,” Tolentino said.

The 14.8-kilometer, elevated expressway is envisioned to decongest traffic in Metro Manila, especially C4 (EDSA), C5 (C.P. Garcia) and Central Metro Manila and cut down travel time from Buendia to Balintawak to 20 minutes, Makati to Quezon City to 15 minutes; Makati to Manila to 10 minutes, and Makati to Sta. Mesa to 5 minutes.

In June last year, the National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS) said the Philippines lost over P1.5-trillion for the past 10 years due to traffic congestion.

'Two years of traffic'

The Department of Public Works and Highways will be implementing a series of 15 road and infrastructure projects over the span of two years.

In anticipation of this, the MMDA has proposed a similar adjustment of office schedules, the “24-Oras” report said.

Some government agencies have told the MMDA they are willing to comply with the reduction of working days as long as working hours per day are increased accordingly.

Aside from this, the MMDA proposed flexible working times, 24 hour construction on projects and the limiting of trucks to midnight travel.

There will also be areas where motorists will only be allowed to use two lanes. A rerouting scheme is already being put in place in areas that will be affected.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said he is getting positive feedback from the DepEd regarding his proposal.

“Receptive si Secretary Armin [Luistro] so magmemeeting tungkol dito,” Tolentino said.

DepEd: 180 school days ‘non-negotiable’

In a separate interview, DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said the DepEd is "flexible" about the school calendar, but will not sacrifice 180 "non-negotiable" school days.

"Kailangan pong pag-aralang mabuti iyan. Iyan po ay ginagawa na po natin ngayon dahil iyan po ay pinag-usapan na. Ang nakikita po natin ay atin pong polisiya na meron po tayong 200 calendar days at 180 of those 200 days ay non-negotiable. Dapat may contact po ang mga guro at mag-aaral," Umali said over GMA News TV's "Balitanghali."

He added that the teaching of educational modules may be disrupted if the school week will be shortened.

"Ang lohikal na mangyayari po riyan ay mag-e-extend po tayo ng number of hours per day to compensate. Or we have Saturday make-up classes," the education official said.

Umali further said the DepEd may also consider changing the time of class opening in some schools to help ease traffic congestion.

"Kung itataon na hindi doon sa ma-traffic na oras, yung rush hour, maaari rin pong ikonsidera iyon. Pero kailangan pong pag-usapan iyon," he said. —Andreo C. Calonzo with Andrei Medina/KG/JDS, GMA News

Tags: schoolcalendar, mmda, metromanilatraffic, 4dayschoolweek