MMDA eyes opening 6 gov’t lands to ease traffic

THE Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is mulling to open the gates of six more government offices to private motorists to decongest traffic in Metro Manila.

MMDA Chairmain Thomas Orbos said in a press conference that he had already negotiated with several government agencies to allow private vehicles to pass through their properties.

“We are looking at about six more, around six more public government properties to open up,” Orbos said.

Orbos said it is considering to make Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig to ease traffic jam in Lawton and Pasong Tamo extension.

He said the Office of Transport Security along the airport area is also set to be accessible by next week.

A barangay property connect- ing Edsa to Jupiter St. in Makati would also serve as an alternate route, Orbos said.

Orbos said the agency is also eyeing an MMDA property in Roxas Boulevard, the National Power Corp. and the Philippine National Railways in Manila as potential access roads.

Earlier this month, Camp Aguinaldo, the headquarters of the Armed of the Philippines in Quezon City, opened up its gate to motorists to improve the flow of traffic.

Orbos said the MMDA is also considering to implement “congestion fee,” which will tax motorists for entering public roads.

He, however, said there is no specific date yet as to when it will be implemented.

Orbos also said that the implementation of no-window hours policy along major roads in Manila has shortened travel time by 10 minutes.

Mall owners were also asked to adjust mall hours and stop implementing weekday sale to ease the traffic.

The MMDA chief said he likewise talked to the Department of Public Works and Highways and asked it to have a moratorium on road repair, which started last Nov. 1 and will take effect until Jan. 9. (RAG/Sunnex)