MMDA to help Iloilo City solve its traffic woes

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

DESPITE the decades long traffic problems of Metro Manila, the Iloilo City government still tapped the “expertise” of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in coming up with a better traffic management system in the city.

According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, 15 MMDA personnel will arrive this week to study the traffic situation in the city.

“Sa siyudad may problema kita sa traffic amo na sa dason nga semana may 15 personnel halin sa MMDA maabot diri and will stay here for one week with us para magtuon sang traffic situation diri sa aton,” he said.

Treñas said that the personnel will then make recommendations on how the city government can better manage the traffic situation in the metro.

The MMDA team will also help the city craft its traffic plan to address road safety concerns of the public.

Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said the team will suggest remedies to hasten traffic flow in the congested areas, determine the proper placement of pedestrian lanes, and give development trainings to the city’s traffic aides.

Councilor Rommel Duron, chairman of the Committee on Transportation of the Sangguniang Panlungsod said that they supposedly intend to present to the MMDA the city’s Local Route Transport Plan.

But the long overdue plan has yet to be finished.

“Wala pa mahuman ang Local Route Transport Plan. Amo na tani ang ipresent pero wala pa mahuman sa December pa kuno,” he said.

The transport plan will entail possible additions/changes in the routes and determine if there is a shortage of public utility vehicles (PUV) in the city.

The plan will cover the entire transport system such as buses, taxis, jeepneys, and tricycles.

As part of the modernization program, the city government needs to pass a LRTP before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) can issue franchises for Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs).