By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Aug. 25 (PNA) – Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV on Tuesday warned that economic losses due to heavy traffic could reach Php 6 billion a day if the problem will not be addressed by 2030.
“Commuters as well as private vehicle owner suffer the monstrous and extremely costly traffic every day in Metro Manila,” Aquino said.
Alarmed by the situation, Aquino has filed Senate Resolution No. 1532 to review the existing Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development and to formulate effective strategies and solutions to address the negative economic impact of the worsening traffic conditions in Metro Manila.
According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study, the lower-income households will be the hardest hit when congestion worsens by 2030 as they will spend no less than 20 percent of their monthly household income for transport.
“Without intervention, traffic demand will likely increase by 13 percent in 2030, and transport cost will be 2.5 percent higher,” Aquino said.
The study entitled, “Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas,” was conducted in coordination with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and other relevant agencies.
The roadmap was approved last Sept. 2, 2014 by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board.
Aquino said relevant government agencies and local government units must contribute to the crafting to an effective planning strategies and traffic management systems in order to improve traffic conditions in Metro Manila.
“The MMDA cannot solve the worsening traffic condition alone. The DPWH, Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulating Board (LTFRB), and the private sector must also do their share in solving the dilemma,” he said.
Among the factors that contributed to the worsening traffic condition is the significant population increase in Metro Manila which now stands at 16.5 million. (PNA)