Ellamaritthe M.

Dolendo

2013-103687

Topic: The Manilas Frontier: Metro Manila City Planning

Sub Topic: Probable Causes of Traffic Congestion in Metro Manila and constructing a solution for it.

Introduction:

Traffic Congestion is one of the major problems here in the Philippines especially around Metro
Manila. But to sum it up, traffic congestion is only the effect of all the problems here in Metro Manila, so
what is the cause? The researchers objectives would be to find the causes of this problem and try to
find a certain solution for each cause.

Traffic congestion is a condition on transport networks that occurs as use increases, and is
characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The most common
example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. As demand approaches the capacity of a road (or of
the intersections along the road), extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles are fully stopped for
periods of time, this is colloquially known as a traffic jam or traffic snarl-up.

The traffic mess is something people have to deal with every single day, with stress levels
going up as people wait in helpless agony as cars move slower than a snails pace. As the researcher
of this term paper and being a college student, experiencing traffic congestion is more difficult and
worse than the last few years. Why? Because before, my allotted time for traveling from house (Pasig
City) to Rizal Technological University (Boni, Mandaluyong) is approximately one and half hour but now
I need to have an allotted time at least two and half hours.

Yes, we can say without any hesitation that traffic congestion is the most critical problem in the
country right now. And with a chaotic mega-city swarmed by 12 million commuters during the day,
around 367,000 vehicles (more than double its capacity) in EDSA alone, and extremely congested
areas within Taft Avenue, Munoz, Katipunan Avenue, Cubao, Quiapo Manila, Kapitolyo Pasig & etc.
our traffic problem will continue to get worse if left to rot and sputter on its own. But finding its root can
help to ease the problem within.
Body:

The first cause that the researcher has been seeing by traveling is that Many Public Utility
Vehicle on the same route. As said earlier, there 12 million commuters are traveling every day from
house to work, house to school and so much more. Therefore, the tendencies on creating new Public
Utility Vehicle to accommodate these commuters are very popular business nowadays. For example,
Pasig Quiapo, Kalentong JRU and Binangonan JRC jeepneys are traveling on the same road of Shaw
Mandaluyong. By manual calculating, the approximate wide of the road in Shaw Boulevard Crossing to
Nueve de Pebrero is 16 meters vice versa.

These so much public utility vehicle plus private vehicles and huge trucks, the road cant
accommodate these much vehicle by the time they are all together or what you called rush hour,
these can cause traffic congestion.

The researchers propose solution for this cause is to lessen and might as well dismiss some
operating system for Public Utility Vehicle that are traveling on the same route. For example the Pasig
Quiapo should terminate their operating system lines because from Pasig Palengke, commuters can
try to ride in MRT Crossing Ilalim and from there they can ride to Kalentong JRU and from JRU the
can ride to Punta Quiapo to reach the desired destination which is the Quiapo Manila. In terms of
fare, the Pasig Quiapo jeeps costs 25 pesos but the researchers propose solution the approximately
travel fare is 27 pesos.

Also, other solution for eliminating some public vehicle is to have wider inspection for old and
illegal public utility vehicle. The MMDA should inspect all the operating system lines to make sure that
these jeepneys, buses, tricycle and other are cannot travel again.

The second cause on the researchers point of view is etiquette of the commuters and drivers
disobeying traffic rules The researcher will give some examples regarding on this topic. First, the
drivers disobeying traffic rules such as counter flow, overtake, swerving, no parking that can also cause
traffic congestion. Next, the commuters etiquette on the road, for example trying to stop the public
utility vehicle in the middle of the road and not on the proper bus stop. Jaywalking that cause the
drivers to stop the car and let the commuters to pass by, these are also can cause traffic congestion.
 As the researcher as well as a commuter, I cannot have a proper propose solution for this
problem. Because even though there are traffic rules and law on how things work inside the road,
some people will disobey again and again. Its a cycle that no one tries to stop it. Its a matter of self-
discipline; people should change for a better city and also to reduce the traffic congestion. I know that I
cannot do anything about it but I wrote this problem so that people can be aware on the current
situation about traffics mess.

Maybe local government unit can establish a program for drivers for them to become more
aware if their disobeying problems can help increase the traffics mess and to help them know that they
are the one who will suffer the most if they did not change. Instead of commercial billboard (did you
know that commercial billboard can also increase traffic congestion. Why? Because some drivers stop
just to see those billboards) why not try posting some education billboard that can help driver to be
aware on traffic rules.

This year 2016-2022 our president Rodrigo Duterte, He is a strong man, people fear him
because on how he rules the country. If he could only have a solution on how people will obey traffic
rules for drivers and traffic etiquette for commuters. People might follow his order without hesitation.

The researchers on her own perspective about the third cause is purchasing a lot of private
vehicle without decent parking. Did you know about the rule Color Coding Scheme? The Color Coding
Scheme (formally known as Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program and more mistakenly
referred to as the Color Coding Scheme*) has been an essential know-how for drivers in Metro Manila,
It is a road space rationing program in the Philippines that aims to reduce traffic congestion, in
particular during peak hours, by restricting the types of vehicles that can use major public roads based
on the final digit of the vehicle's license plate. The scheme took effect in March 2003 as a new method
to curb the high volume of vehicles plying on Metro Manila city roads in order to manage the peak-hour
traffic. It's basically a re-implementation of some MMDA rules years earlier.

Unfortunately some rich people buy another car to avoid the color coding scheme. As the result
the traffic is a lot worse. Why? Because some people who purchase private vehicle doesnt have a
proper garage parking for their cars. Thats why they also park on the side of the road and sometimes
they did double parking.
 It is believed that the best way to solve traffic issues is by giving high rate tax for private motor
vehicle owners, and the fund would be allocated for improving public transportation system and
facilities. For number of reasons, charging personal car owners with high tax rate and allocate the fund
for improving and developing public transportation brings a lot of benefits for the society. It is
undeniable that with high tax rate, the number of car owners will gradually decrease and traffic
congestion problem would slowly decrease. As a result people could commute faster work more
effective and efficient.

Besides that, the collected tax fund could be used to improve and manage public
transportation, as lot of people would change their mode of transportation from personal cars into
public transportation. For example, the government could replace all the old trains and buses with the
new ones which consume fuels efficiently and more comfortable for the commuters.

The last cause that the researchers strongly agree is the lack and poor urban planning around
Metro manila. In observing the government over the years, it is hard to avoid the feeling that there is a
general lack of appreciation for urban, metropolitan, regional, and environmental planning. Traffic
congestion has been considered as a man-made disaster in the Philippine cities. The poor
understanding of comprehensive planning shows in the response to tackle traffic through traffic
management, piecemeal solutions, and engineering.

The necessity of urban and regional planning, In laymans term it is the art and science of
designing human settlements, harmonizing the balance between the natural environment and built
infrastructure that is meant for human development. At Palafox & Associates, we say that it is a
balance among social equity/people, environment/planet earth, profit/economy, history, culture, and
spirituality.

Urban and regional planning also means identifying the strength of the city and the surrounding
regions. Which businesses and industries should the government encourage the city to have? Not all
cities should become mega scale central business districts. Certain cities should focus on agropolitan
development, like certain cities in Japan. They focus on the food security of the country, and become
hubs for medical research and material research.
 Many enlightened leaders of the world, such as Singapores Lee Kuan Yew, consult the best
urban planners, architects, and engineers before they construct the built environment, said Palafox.
This is the sort of practice that we Filipinos should replicate.

However, there are Philippine cities that are taking urban planning very seriously. One of which
is San Juan, whose city government just consulted Palafox Associates to come up with a
comprehensive land use and zoning plan. Our plan for San Juan moves beyond land use and zoning,
said Palafox. We also take into consideration disaster preparedness, transportation, and mobility.
Although the Philippines has got a long way to go before we achieve the sort of sustainable urbanism
the likes of Singapore and Hong Kong have achieved, there are ways we can get there. Palafox lists
two recommendations that the researcher found out.

First, is According to Palafox; the 21st century is a century of urban renewal. We replan,
redesign, and rebuild, and not necessarily create new ones, in the hope of achieving urban
renaissance. In fact, Metro Manila has got plenty of areas, specifically in downtown Manila itself, that
experienced urban decay over the last few decades, and will provide the city with so much opportunity
to practice good urban renewal.

Second, Between the 1970s and today, urban planning was not so seriously implemented in
the Philippines, said Palafox. One thing also peculiar to the Philippines is that infrastructure
development takes so long from concept to completion. This is appalling given our local governments
have budget for beauty contests and yet they have none for proper urban planning, said Palafox.

Third, Philippine politicians and planners dont recognize walking as the most basic form of
transportation; hence, they dont consider it when they design urban areas. Take Bonifacio Global City,
for instance, Metro Manilas poster child for urban planning. Has anyone seen a covered walkway to
get from one building to another? This is somewhat odd given that the Philippines is a tropical country
and sudden downpours are not uncommon.
Conclusion

In conclusion, even though the researcher stated some minor factors that affect the traffic
congestion and detailed the certain solution for all the factors, there is a major factor that we need to
resolve and analyse. The general lack of appreciation in urban planning is whats missing in Metro
Manila. If you compare us with residents of more successful cities in the world, we spend more time
driving or stuck in traffic, while people in other countries just sits and relax.

Somehow Filipino leaders or the local government unit cant let go of the obsolete urban-
planning practice of segregating places of work from places of residence and recreation, creating
gridlocks in our roads and thoroughfares in the process. Our government can build roads upon roads,
but if the most basic needs of people are not addressed, Metro Manila will just end up like another
Detroitabandoned and bankrupt.

The problem here is the Government of the Philippines; they are the one who made Metro
Manila worse than ever. Why? Because they just approve things without consulting some people who
has expertise in this kind of thing and getting the profit without absolute development for the city; For
example, approving Megamall to be built along EDSA without proper parking lots.

Truly, if the higher officials seek some advices on urban planner as well as architects maybe
the chance of decreasing the traffic congestion in Manila is somehow possible.