MMDA spox says public mistrust perpetuates EDSA traffic, lists down other reasons

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Asec. Celine Pialago on Thursday said that mistrust on the traffic authority, among several other factors, is one reason why the grueling EDSA gridlocks persist.

This came after several senators questioned the agency's authority to implement the ban on provincial buses on Edsa, and proposals to review its powers in managing traffic in Metro Manila.

"Ayaw niyo magtiwala sa MMDA, sa polisiya na napag-aralan, ayaw nating sabay-sabay subukan. Bagamat kakarampot lang ang aming kapangyarihan, alam namin nangingibaw ang demokrasya, kaya nga alam na alam ng mga kokontra kung paano patitigilin ang polisiya," Pialago said in a statement posted on her official Facebook page.

She lamented that some of the proposed policies of the MMDA to address the traffic problem in the busy highway had been blocked.

On Tuesday's hearing at the Senate, several senators said it was time to review the powers of the MMDA to determine if it was possible to expand it to make it more effective in managing traffic. 

The senators also said the proposed provincial bus ban on Edsa was flawed after last week's gridlock during the dry run of the ban on Edsa and the implementation of the policy that restricted all buses inside the yellow lane.

According to Pialago, the traffic volume in Metro Manila continues to rise at the rate of 10,000 additional vehicles per month.

"Hindi kami maaaring sisihin dito dahil nag panukala kami ng HOV Policy o High Occupancy Vehicle, napansin ba? 'Di ba binatikos din? At hindi ito naaprubahan ng Metro Manila Council. Remember, lahat ng polisiya ng MMDA dapat sang-ayunan muna ng lahat ng Metro Manila mayors," she said.

The spokesperson's statement was released on the heels of criticisms about MMDA's stricter implementation of the yellow lane policy which appears to some as discrimination against the public transport riders.

Vehicular accidents, illegally parked vehicles on alternate routes, the presence of bus terminals, malls, and condominiums along EDSA, inclement weather, undisciplined drivers and passengers, and the insufficient number of traffic enforcers were also included on Pialago's list of the reasons why EDSA traffic remains.

She added that the lack of road networks and better public transport system is another factor.

"Ito ay nasa pangangasiwa na ng DOTr (Department of Transportation). Ang Skyway Stage 3, MRT7, ang NLEX-SLEX Connector, lahat ito paparating na. Pero sadyang kailangan natin pagdaan ang birth pains to achieve our dream," she said.

Last week, many commuters were affected by the heavy traffic in EDSA as buses had been strictly required to use the yellow lane. Critics have called the measure anti-poor as the scheme benefited private vehicles at the expense of public utility vehicles.

Vice President Leni Robredo said that authorities shall prioritize the welfare of public commuters.

"Alam naman natin iyong mga nagbu-bus, karamihan diyan hindi nakaka-afford na magkaroon ng sasakyan tapos sila pa iyong idi-discriminate. ‘Di ba dapat baliktad? ‘Di ba dapat ang inaasikaso iyong mass transportation kasi talagang dapat ang asikasuhin mo iyong walang choice," Robredo said.

Pialago reiterated that the MMDA does not discriminate and that all its policies have undergone the vetting of the Metro Manila Council.

She also questioned the opinion of some elected officials regarding the issue.

"Alam namin na halos lahat ng polisiya ay may mga 'birth pains,' pero bakit sa lahat ng statement ninyo, parang laging 'naha-highlight' na biktima ang mga mahihirap? Para magalit sila sa amin? O para maging sarado ang kanilang kaisipan para hindi na nila tuluyang intindihin ang aming mga paliwanag," she said. —LDF, GMA News