By Rizal Raoul Reyes
UNLIKE Dutch Prof. Abraham Van Helsing who is equipped with a silver bullet to kill a werewolf, the country does not possess a weapon to solve its gargantuan traffic problem.
Arch. Felino Palafox Jr., president and founder of Palafox Architecture, pointed out that there is no real solution available right now to alleviate the misery of millions of commuters who have to struggle from going to and from home to work during weekdays.
“There’s no silver bullet to solve the traffic problem. Those who claim they can solve traffic do not know what they are talking about. Measures being done now are merely palliatives to alleviate the situation, some projects are short term and opportunistic, and may even worsen traffic over the long term and not solve the problem,” Palafox said in a press statement.
From 1974 to date, Palafox said he has been putting forward together with other experts on urban planning, land use transportation, traffic engineering, traffic management infrastructure, architecture, urban design, among others, a package of proposals to help the government develop a comprehensive solution to help solve congestion, traffic and urban planning.
However, Palafox said the schemes were not given serious thoughts by the government. As far as Palafox is concerned, he has been more appreciated as he has done projects in 39 countries and had given lectures and presentations in 19 countries.
“Other countries listen, give us more respect and pay us better. Only 10 percent of our leaders are good, but the more corrupt and incompetent politicians and bureaucrats with their corrupt incompetent advisers, consultants and corrupt contractors who decide on infrastructure result to deterioration and inefficiencies in our cities, towns, communities and the whole country,” Palafox explained.
In a study, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) reported daily traffic congestion in Metro Manila cost P2.4 billion daily in 2012. Furthermore, the development agency also warned the government that the problem would get worse if sufficient measures to ease the mess are not implemented.
If the country fails to solve the traffic crisis, Jica warned that it will lose up to P6 billion a day by 2030 caused by traffic jams.
To help the Philippines resolve the traffic problem, Jica presented its “dream plan” package for improving the transportation system. The P2.3-trillion program expounds on the short-term and long-term developments.
Incoming Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo said during the campaign the key to solve the transportation and traffic problem in the country is to spread the development in the countryside.
“The traffic congestion in Metro Manila needs an out-of-the-box solution. I think one alternative is to develop the rural areas. Lack of opportunities in the countryside has forced people in the provinces to migrate to urban areas. This has resulted into a problem that has brought negative consequences,” Robredo said.
Although it is logical for the government to invest a lot in the development and modernization of the railway system, Robredo said the national government must also give a strong emphasis in strengthening the infrastructure, capabilities and institutions to achieve growth and development.
Palafox urged the people to support the administration of incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte to help reform, renew and redevelop the country. “Duterte seems to have the strong political will and vision, courage and passion to lead and reform,” Palafox noted.
“Let’s help him with good urban planning of our cities, towns, communities, good design of our buildings, bridges and infrastructure, and good governance.”
1 comment
The best way to solve the traffic problems is improve public transport, trains, overhead trams, phase out jeepneys, use double decker buses and encourage the car-riding public to take public transport. With Duterte as president, there should be less crime on the streets, which would encourage people to commute, rather than drive or take a private car.