MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday said his administration is taking a multi-pronged approach to address Metro Manila’s chronic traffic congestion.
In a vlog posted on his official Youtube page (link here), the President emphasized the need for both infrastructure development and a cultural shift towards road discipline.
Marcos recognized the limitations of solely relying on expanding Metro Manila’s infrastructure, Marcos plans to develop surrounding provinces like Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, and Laguna.
“Metro Manila is congested. That’s why we are planning to develop nearby areas and cities. We want to develop Bulacan, Pampanga, Northern provinces, Cavite, Laguna, and other Southern provinces,” he added.
This aims to create economic opportunities outside the capital, potentially reducing commuter traffic.
The government, Marcos said, remains committed to ongoing construction of bridges, flyovers, subways, and train systems to improve the capacity of Metro Manila’s transportation network.
Moreover, the President said that he welcomes public participation and invited netizens to share ideas through the “Comments” section of his post. As of Monday morning, the post has garnered more than 98,000 views and around 2,000 comments.
Marcos also urged Filipinos to prioritize traffic rules and courtesy on the road.
“What we Filipinos lack the most on the road is discipline. We should adhere to traffic rules,” Marcos said.
“Old habits still persist even if there are newly built roads. It seems like we’re always running out of streets,” he added.
“It won’t matter if our roads are new if our attitude does not change,” he further said.
He believes undisciplined driving habits, such as stopping in the middle of the road or ignoring bike lanes, significantly contribute to congestion.
The President called for a change in behavior, emphasizing gratitude for fellow drivers and respecting emergency vehicles.
“When someone gives way to us, learn how to say ‘Thank you’. Even just a little wave is a big deal,” he said.
Marcos also acknowledged the importance of leading by example. He stressed that government officials also have a responsibility to follow traffic laws.
“It is not in our oath as public officials to violate traffic rules. The government will lead all agencies in being disciplined while on our roads,” the President said.
He said he aims to dismantle the notion that disregarding traffic rules is a privilege for those in power.
“Abusing and disregarding traffic laws is not a privilege of those sworn to serve the nation,” he emphasized.
By combining infrastructure advancements with a focus on public discipline and participation, the government hopes to alleviate commuter woes and create a more efficient transportation system. (JCO/PIA-NCR)