This is a re-posted editorial/opinion piece.
Traffic congestion in Metro Manila results in losses amounting to at least $3.6 billion a year, according to a congressman, who cited a report in San Francisco. The accuracy of that figure can be disputed, but no one will dispute the fact that regular traffic jams in the nation’s premier region means substantial losses in terms of additional fuel costs for motorists as well as lost productivity.
The coding scheme has helped reduce traffic during weekdays, but vehicular volume simply keeps growing, with no corresponding expansion in the road network. A modern railway system could decongest traffic, especially the gridlocks resulting from the movement of cargo to and from Manila’s container ports. But a project to construct a 50-kilometer railway line along an old route cannot even get off the ground.
In southern Metro Manila, road diggings for public utilities are compounded by the incompetence of traffic enforcers. The Metro Manila Development Authority should coordinate with local government executives in providing proper training for traffic enforcers. Experts must be called in and regular refresher courses must be conducted. The Philippine National Police must also revive and sustain the on-and-off campaign against cops and civilian traffic aides who accept bribes from traffic violators. If many spots along major thoroughfares such as EDSA and Roxas Boulevard across the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran are virtual terminals for mass transport vehicles, “kotong” cops are to blame.
The continued proliferation of unregistered or “colorum” vehicles is also to blame. Authorities should look into reports that thousands of license plates assigned to legitimate franchise holders are being faked and used by operators of colorum public utility vehicles.
Only individuals with intimate knowledge of the manufacture of license plates and vehicle registration can do something like that. The scam was uncovered in an audit on the Land Transportation Office conducted by the Commission on Audit. The COA has reportedly asked the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to impound over 40,000 colorum vehicles. Authorities should also cancel the franchise of any registered transport operator found engaging in this illegal activity. Traffic discipline in the congested streets of Metro Manila cannot be imposed unless authorities go after transport operators and the unscrupulous government employees who are in cahoots with them.
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Source: The Philippine Star, Aug. 18, 2011
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