President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said that cooperation of local government units is the most important facet in addressing the perennial traffic jams in the National Capital Region (NCR).

He made the statement on Wednesday during the “Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Concerns” in San Juan City.

The town hall meeting was held to bring together various stakeholders and discuss situations, challenges, and recommendations for the improvement of the traffic situation in Metro Manila.

“The local governments are the most important, I have to say, ” PBBM said.

Marcos added the national government can plan everything it wants but it would be for naught without the full support of LGUs.

“We need to have the cooperation of the local governments to understand what the problems are in your place, what the possible solutions are, and how we bring it all together into one complete system which we can monitor and regulate.”

He emphasized that prioritizing the traffic problem is important as it affects people’s quality of life and the country’s economic growth and balanced development.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos expressed the same sentiment as the President, saying that LGUs and barangays play a big part in DILG’s efforts to ease traffic.

“Isa sa mga solusyon na pinaiigting natin ay ang tinatawag nating road-clearing operations sa lahat ng mga pampublikong kalsada, eskinita at lansangan. Napakalaking papel po ng ating mga barangay dito, ng ating LGUs,” Abalos said.

This, as he commended Barangay Holy Spirit’s road-clearing efforts with 92 roads cleared and thousands of illegal structures dismantled.

The initiative led to the creation of an alternative route for motorists passing by Commonwealth area.

Abalos also urged other local government officials to adopt solutions to address traffic problems in their respective localities.

“Sa pangunguna ng ating mahal na Pangulong Marcos, patuloy po sana ang pakikiisa ng lahat ng mga kasamahang lokal na opisyal,” he said.

”Sa ating mga mayors at barangay captains, kausapin natin ang mga residente. Bumaba tayo. Ipaunawa natin na ang bawat mithiin at inisyatibo na ating gagawin at ng ating Pangulo ay upang magkaroon tayo ng mas ligtas na mga lansangan,” he added.

According to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), traffic volume in Metro Manila increased by 17.68% from 2019 to 2023, due to an increase in the volume of vehicles, accidents and drivers’ undisciplined behavior.

It also named current road configurations and conditions, and policies and penalty system as among the reasons for traffic jams.

The town hall meeting was attended by the Secretaries of the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, and National Economic and Development Authority.

Also with them were MMDA Chairman Don Artes, NCR mayors, DILG officials, and other stakeholders.

Original Article at: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/PBBM-Abalos-call-on-LGUs-to-unite-vs-traffic-problem/NC-2024-1073