The Metro Manila Improvement Authority (MMDA) is proposing shifting work hours an hour earlier to assist untangle visitors jams within the metropolis.
MMDA stated it can suggest to President Marcos that nationwide authorities companies (NGAs) within the Nationwide Capital Area undertake the 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. work schedule to assist ease visitors that’s seen to worsen with the deliberate rehabilitation of Edsa beginning in March.
It cited a examine exhibiting that implementing the modified work schedule amongst native authorities models (LGUs) within the NCR helped enhance visitors stream and shortened journey time by 10.20 p.c, whereas journey velocity elevated by 20.70 p.c on roads close to town and municipal halls.
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It, nonetheless, famous that native authorities places of work weren’t positioned on main roads. However this additionally meant that 43,936 LGU workers with personal autos and 38,536 others counting on mass public transportation didn’t need to commute together with these from NGA and personal sectors in the course of the peak hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Minimal enchancment
If we’re to base it on the TomTom Site visitors Index, there was an enchancment in Metro Manila’s visitors scenario from being ranked the worst on the planet in 2023 to fifteenth final 12 months.
Wanting on the information carefully, nonetheless, reveals a minimal enchancment and the decrease rating could possibly be attributed to the index overlaying extra cities—from 387 in 2023 to 500 in 2024.
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It took Metro Manila motorists 27 minutes and 18 seconds to drive 10 kilometers final 12 months, however this was 10 seconds greater than the journey time in 2023. As well as, the 2024 common congestion degree was 41 p.c, or 1 p.c larger than in 2023; whereas the typical velocity was 22 km per hour, or 0.1 km slower than the earlier 12 months.
The 2024 index additionally confirmed that the typical journey time for 10 km took longer within the night, 36 minutes and eight seconds, in contrast with 29 minutes and 58 seconds within the morning. The congestion was additionally larger throughout after-work rush hour at 82 p.c in contrast with 56 p.c in the course of the morning rush hour.
Knowledge additionally confirmed that in 2024, it took 103 hours additional time to drive in rush hours, or the equal of 4 days and 7 hours. That is one hour and 47 minutes greater than in 2023.
Essential inconvenience
The Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) unveiled final 12 months its visitors decongestion plan that included growth and upgrading of transportation infrastructure akin to the development of latest roads and bridges. The plan, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan stated, focuses on constructing extra by-passes, diversion roads, expressways, flyovers, interchanges, and underpasses.
Following the 2023 worst visitors rating, the Division of Transportation additionally introduced that it was pushing to finish highway and rail tasks in Metro Manila to deal with the issue. This included the Metro Manila Subway Challenge, which began in 2023.
Certainly, the visitors downside requires collaborative efforts between authorities companies, personal sector stakeholders, and the group. The gridlock that commuters and motorists expertise day by day, many as a result of rail development work, could be thought-about a crucial inconvenience to benefit from the future advantages of a seamless highway community and transportation system.
The visitors downside just isn’t confined to Metro Manila alone, nonetheless. TomTom’s 2024 visitors index confirmed that Davao ranked tenth worst amongst cities worldwide and first inside the nation with a mean of 28 minutes of journey time per 10 km. Manila and Caloocan cities ranked second and third, respectively. This solely reveals that visitors, as a consequence of speedy urbanization, is a national concern.
Nationwide framework
Whereas increasing highway networks may also help, they cater principally to motorists. The federal government should needless to say many Filipinos nonetheless depend on public transportation akin to buses and jeepneys; thus, it should deal with their transportation wants urgently, not solely within the capital however nationwide.
This as soon as extra highlights the necessity for a nationwide land use coverage that not solely regulates the allocation of land but additionally helps stakeholders see the larger image of how city growth might influence not solely livelihoods however related points akin to visitors and transportation.
Mr. Marcos final 12 months stated enacting such a coverage was pressing—the proposed Nationwide Land Use Act has already handed the third and ultimate studying on the Home of Representatives in Could 2023 however stays on the committee degree within the Senate. There are only some months left earlier than the midterm elections. If this Congress fails to move the measure, the method should be restarted within the subsequent.
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Any scheme like altering work hours to unfold journey time to assist ease the visitors is most welcome. However when will public servants perceive that it takes greater than piecemeal options to resolve an advanced downside like visitors?