MANILA — An inter-agency group tasked to address traffic woes in the metropolis on Monday vowed a stricter implementation of traffic rules and regulations as the holiday season nears.
The Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) has formed a composite team called Task Force Alamid to help manage traffic congestion in Metro Manila which is expected to worsen during the holidays.
“We want to assure the public that we will be serious in our enforcement operations in compliance with the directive of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Arthur Tugade to ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila especially for the upcoming holiday season,” I-ACT Communications head Elmer Argano said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the clearing operations conducted by Task Force Alamid Monday morning near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Paranaque City.
During the operations, Task Force Alamid apprehended three colorum vehicles at the NAIA Road and towed several illegally parked vehicles near the NAIA Terminal 1.
The operations aim to clear the road of illegally-parked vehicles and other obstructions that hinder traffic flow along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila as well as address other traffic concerns such as ‘colorum’ vehicles and the implementation of laws on anti-drunk and distracted driving, among others.
The task force will also conduct clearing operations in areas leading to seaports, airports, bus terminals, and major thoroughfares in the metropolis.
Argano said education and strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations are keys to maintaining discipline among drivers on the road.
To do this, Argano said I-ACT has coordinated with various government agencies in ensuring that drivers’ education is at par with international standards.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has launched last August the Drivers’ Academy in line with efforts of the government to modernize the public transportation system in the country.
The academy will provide public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers with seminars on basic road safety, driving courtesy and traffic rules and regulations.
Argano said I-ACT is planning to form an online communication platform for the public to report traffic-related concerns. “I-ACT, in coordination with the volunteer group Ligtas Patrol, is set to open a cyber communications network.
This will be known as #7890 an online platform where the public can use to report their concerns free of charge. Concerns that will be reported online will be relayed to the concerned agencies for their response,” Argano said.
The council will also create its counterpart in Cebu City in a bid to ease traffic congestion in other urban areas across the country.
I-ACT is an inter-agency body composed of DOTr, MMDA, PNP-Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office, LTFRB and the Armed Forces of the Philippines tasked to address traffic congestion in Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan. (PNA)
