GMA, MMDA execs sign MOA to provide real-time traffic videos, advisories

GMA Network, Inc. and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have agreed to cooperate with one another in providing real-time information as regards road conditions and traffic situations around the capital region.

MMDA's real-time videos and advisories, according to the memorandum of agreement by network executives and MMDA officials, will be relayed to the public via GMA television and radio broadcasts and GMA News Online.

GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. on Wednesday signed the memorandum of agreement with MMDA chairman Danilo Lim and MMDA officer-in-charge Jose Arturo Garcia.

Lim said CCTV video and MMDA's other materials would be made available to the GMA on a "real time" basis so that the network could relay to the public the current traffic situations, floods on roads and even accidents.

"Napakahalaga nitong agreement na ito. Makakatulong ito ng malaki sa pagganap namin sa aming mga tungkulin," Lim told reporters.

"Ang commitment ng MMDA dito ay we will make available to GMA 7 lahat ng materyales on a non-exclusive basis, mga impormasyon tungkol sa trapiko, tungkol sa mga baha, mga aksidente at anumang sitwasyon na dapat malaman ng publiko," he added.

The MMDA chairman said the network has various platforms such as television, radio and online where the public could easily get road and traffic information.

"Broadcast ng GMA 7, sa mga online platforms, so marami namang pamamaraan para ipaabot ito sa taong-bayan," Lim said.

"'Yung metrobase naman natin alam naman ninyo na 'yun eh nandiyan 'yung lahat ng monitoring ng cameras installed all over Metro Manila. So magiging available 'yan sa GMA 7. Lahat ng nakikita ng tao namin doon ay pwede ring magamit at makita ng GMA 7," he added.

Lim said that the partnership would provide a assistance for motorists and commuters in Metro Manila.

"Malaman nila 'yung mga nangyayari sa kapaligiran ng Metro Manila at makatulong sa kanilang pagpaplano. For example sa traffic, kung malaman nila sa lugar na ito may baha, dapat iavoid, makakarating 'yan sa publiko," Lim said.

Gozon said the network's access to any MMDA traffic information would be a great service to motorists and commuters experiencing traffic in the metro.

"Dati na nating ginagawa 'yan, pero ngayon talagang formal agreement na. Let me say di naman 'to exclusive kaya lang meron tayong facility para ipahayag sa publiko kung ano anong mga kalsada ang dapat nilang iavoid at certain times of the day. Napakalaking serbisyo 'yan sa publiko na natratrapik," Gozon said.

"Lalo na 'yung radyo natin, ang radyo natin habang nangyayari sinasabi eh... at saka 'yung mga motorista nakikinig sa radyo 'yon," he added.

Gozon said the MMDA needed emergency powers to address Metro Manila's traffic woes.

"Napakahirap talaga ng trapik. Ang laki ng nawawala sa negosyo, sa tao, sa gobyerno. Mabuti na lang itong MMDA eh talagang serious," Gozon said.

"Ang kailangan ng MMDA, emergency powers kasi sa ngayon 'yung mga local governments may sariling ganyang power eh. Siguro dapat iconcentrate sa MMDA 'yung karapatan o katungkulan na ayusin 'yung traffic rules sa buong Metro Manila," he added.

According to the recent study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Philippines is now losing some P3.5 billion daily due to the traffic situation in Metro Manila. —NB, GMA News