By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. has met officials from the local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila 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,” 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,” 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 Marcos in the Regional Town Hall Meeting on Traffic Management on March 25.
