Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Traffic jams seem to have become normal in Metro Manila. For road-sharing scheme advocates, Filipinos should realize there are just too many cars on our roads.
Their solution to traffic woes — road-sharing scheme.
In road sharing dry run activity “Bayanihan sa Daan Movement” on Sunday (February 7), advocates emphasized the need to improve people’s mobility.
They want more walk-friendly and bike-friendly roads.
“Yung kalsada hindi ginawa para sa kotse lamang. Ginawa yan para sa tao, para makagalaw,” Atty. Antonio Oposa of Share the Road Movement said.
In their proposal, road-sharing scheme advocates said cyclists and pedestrians should occupy lanes of Roxas Boulevard in an effort to promote a shift in mindset from the current car-centric practice to putting people first.
Advocates also said this can also have positive health impacts with the potential for less air pollution and road accidents.
“Yung pag push ng pag-gamit ng bike sa society…para healthy at clean air,” Ronald Dula of Gilas Bikers said.
A study by the environment and natural resources department shows the quality of air in the National Capital Region is getting worse.
Doctors warned traffic can kill people as the exposure to various pollutants make them vulnerable to developing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
According to Dr. Antonio Danz of the Philippine College of Physicians, World Health Organization (WHO) data show “we have a hundred thousand deaths a year from pollution.”
“The DOH adds to that twenty thousand accidents a year— most of them affecting pedestrians. So we think this traffic mess is a major health hazard,” Danz added.
Alternate mode of transport
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Emerson Carlos said they support proposals on road-sharing scheme.
“Makikita natin ngayong araw na ito, isang alternate mode of transport na kung saan hindi lang naman motorized vehicle ang puwede nating magamit sa pag-galaw ng mga tao at kargamento.”
[Translation: Today we will see an alternate mode of transport from which we will realize that not only motorized vehicles can be used for deliveries.]
According to Carlos, the agency has almost P86 million from the 2016 national budget for transport and traffic management services, particularly road-sharing activities.
The MMDA is considering several thoroughfares for the scheme including Commonwealth Avenue, Marcos Hi-way, and Roxas Boulevard.
EDSA, though, is not one of them as it might be too high-risk for bikers and pedestrians.
The Department of Science and Technology’s hybrid electric road also train made rounds on Sunday, carrying passengers for free.
It is also seen as an alternative mass transit vehicle, though it has yet to be commercialized.
Those who support the road-sharing scheme recognize change will not happen overnight. But they believe that Filipinos should at least give it a try.
