Only 300 apply for Camp Aguinaldo car passes to avoid EDSA traffic —AFP

Weeks after the government allowed motorists to pass through Camp Aguinaldo in a bid to ease traffic on EDSA and nearby thoroughfares, only 300 private motorists have so far applied for the car passes required to use the camp's roads.

According to Brig. Gen. Allan Martin,  Armed Forces of the Philippines general headquarters service command chief, added that only 20 to 30 applicants have competed the requirements as of Monday.

"So far ang application na dumating I think 300, pero yung nakumpleto yung requirements nasa 20, 30 pa lang daw," General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command chief Brig. Gen. Allan Martin said.

Martin said motorists with approved application may start passing through Camp Aguinaldo towards their destination by Thursday or Friday, once they claim their car stickers.

"Yung mga kumpleto by Thursday or Friday puwede na silang dumaan this week," Martin said.

He added the AFP would finish processing all applications sometime next week.

Aside from the expanded "no-window" hours policy in the number coding scheme, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also announced in November the opening of Camp Aguinaldo to private motorists to decongest EDSA.

The scheme allows motorists to avoid Santolan and EDSA going to Katipunan Avanue by using the roads inside the camp.

Martin said motorists would be allowed to enter Camp Aguinaldo during rush hour, or between 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m for Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Motorists will be allowed to enter the camp between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Tuesday and Friday.

Martin said the permits of motorists would be valid until Dece. 31, 2017.

He added the car passes are not allowed during weekends since the MMDA did not request access on such days.

"Okay na yung weekdays kasi unang-una hindi naman ni-request ng MMDA yung weekends," Martin said.

The AFP will require applicants to provide the official receipt of their motor vehicle, an ID picture, government-issued IDs, and NBI clearance. A fee of P500 is needed to process the application.

The applicant will also undergo a background check and interview with military officials.

"Although tutulong tayo sa traffic, we cannot also sacrifice yung security ng camp so iche-check din natin kung sino yung gustong dumaan kasi baka naman biglang dumaan yung mga sasakyan nila yun pala may karga na magra-rally... malaking sampal naman sa gobyerno," Martin said.

Martin said motorists were also prohibited to roam inside Camp Aguinaldo since they were only allowed to pass through Gates 1, 3, and 6. —NB, GMA News