By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

HEAVY TRAFFIC. Southbound motorists experience bumper-to-bumper traffic along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) approaching Cubao in Quezon City on December 15, 2023. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has consulted with local government officials and various government agencies to discuss a solution to the worsening traffic in Metro Manila. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. has met officials from the local government units (LGUs) in Metro and various government agencies to discuss a solution to the worsening traffic in the metropolis.

The series of consultations between Abalos, LGUs and relevant national government agencies to discuss matters related to traffic and transportation was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to address traffic issues in Metro Manila, a DILG press release said Monday.

“Ang ating mahal na Pangulo ay inutusan kaming lahat para bumaba sa grassroots at pag-usapan natin (ang mga problema sa trapik at transportasyon). Gusto naming malaman ang solusyon mula sa iba’t ibang sektor (Our dear President ordered us all to go down to the grassroots and talk [about the traffic and transportation problems]. We want to know the solution from various sectors),” Abalos said in a statement.

In the latest consultation last March 12 in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, Abalos met representatives of LGUs, government offices, and some 200 village chiefs to discuss traffic management and road safety in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The DILG said among the issues discussed were the planned regulation of e-trikes and e-bikes, barangay road clearing operations, and street pay parking ordinances of LGUs.

“Lahat yan ay pinag-aaralan ng technical working group at ito ay ibibigay sa mahal na Presidente. For the meantime, status quo muna ang ipinapatupad para walang gulo (All these are being studied by a technical working group, and it will be submitted to the President. For the meantime, a status quo is being implemented to prevent trouble),” Abalos said.

Abalos said he has also met with the Land Transportation Office, Department of Energy, and Department of Transportation to discuss various traffic concerns, including the use of e-vehicles, in the NCR.

He said the results of the consultations will be presented to President Marcos in the Regional Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Management on March 25. (PNA)