Amid doubts and cynicism on the doability of a five-minute travel time from Cubao in Quezon City to Ayala Avenue in Makati City via EDSA, a police general believes that it is not a mere wishful thinking.
In fact, Brig. Gen. Roberto Fajardo, director of the police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said they have a secret plan on how to comply with President Duterte’s promise for the five-minute travel time along EDSA, which is the symbol of monstrous traffic jam in the country.
“That’s the order of the President, we will do our best. Actually, that is a challenge for us. Kapag sinabi ni Presidente, we will do it,” said Fajardo.
“Ganun lang kami ka-simple, Kung paano naming gagawin, secret,” he added.
But Fajardo said they are now conducting regular meeting with the concerned government agencies like the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
In the past meetings, some plans have already been brought up and would be possibly effected to comply with the President’s promise that it would happen by December this year.
First, Fajardo disclosed that the implementation of the bus lanes would be strictly enforced.
Second, he said that the motorcycle lanes along EDSA would be moved away from its current position in order to give way for a fast lane along EDSA. This is to ensure, he explained, that motorcycles would not occupy the fast lane.
Third, Fajardo said all the bus terminals along EDSA would be removed.
“And we will strictly enforce traffic laws,” said Fajardo.
And the strict enforcement, according to him, comes with the deployment of at least 50 motorcycle-riding policemen along EDSA, especially in between Cubao and Ayala Avenue.
“If these are made possible, I think we will be able to comply with the President,” said Fajardo.
In one of his speeches recently, President Duterte said that the travel time from Cubao to Makati via EDSA would be possible in five minutes by December this year.
This was met with skepticism in the social media, some of them even came up with various explanations as to why it is impossible.
Monstrous traffic jams along the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, or EDSA, are a daily scenario, making it as the symbol of how terrible the traffic problems in the country is.
Attempts to ease this Metro Manila’s busiest road would always fail. (Aaron Recuenco)