Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) [Archive] - Page 24

Linguine

October 15th, 2010, 02:28 PM

here's the news in full...

Mayors Junk 'Odd-Even'
Traffic scheme may increase speed on EDSA by 67% — Study
By ANNA LIZA VILLAS
October 15, 2010, 7:07pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila mayors rejected on Friday the re-implementation of the odd-even vehicular volume reduction program proposed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for private and public utility vehicles plying along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA), but approved the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the so-called number-coding scheme on public utility buses (PUBs) on an experimental basis.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, after a special session of the Metro Manila Council, said majority of the Metro Manila mayors have decided to shelve the proposal to re-implement the odd-even scheme along EDSA, which was supposed to take effect on November 15.

“We also pledge to utilize all our available resources to find creative ways to solve our traffic woes,” Tolentino said.

“We still continue to enhance traffic enforcement, and we ask for the public’s cooperation in the days ahead by observing road discipline and courtesy,” he added.

Instead of the odd-even scheme, the MMC agreed to implement the number-coding scheme on public utility buses (PUBs) starting mid-November initially on an experimental basis, aimed to lessen the worsening traffic situation and decongest EDSA.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista said his colleagues cited various reasons in disapproving the plan, including the fact that it will be implemented closed to the holiday season.

The Metro Manila mayors also approved the creation of a special traffic committee to be headed by Bautista and co-chaired by Mayor Del de Guzman of Marikina City.

The committee is tasked to craft guidelines on the UVVRP on buses, in close coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) headed by lawyer Nelson Laluces.

“We heed the people’s voice as part of the consultative process,” said Tolentino.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. expressed reservations on the scheme since motorists will simply look for alternative routes as they will be barred from EDSA and clog inner or secondary roads.

The number-coding for buses will be implemented starting Nov. 15. PUBs have been exempted from the scheme since 2004.

“I commend the people of Metro Manila for your interest, vigilance and civic-mindedness in our policy-making decision process. May your participation continue not only in solving our traffic problems, but also upholding sustainable development efforts to address environmental concerns such as garbage and estero clean up, cleanliness and orderliness and disaster preparedness,” Tolentino said.

He said the odd-even proposal is just part of a package of proposals made after evaluating a study made by the University of the Philippines (UP) National Center for Transportation Studies which found that even under the current number coding scheme, EDSA private lanes had breached their maximum carrying capacity.

Under an odd-even scheme, average speed along EDSA may increase by as much as 67%, to 51.29 kph, compared to the traffic simulation studies that average speed along EDSA during peak hours is at 30.75 kph.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/282393/mayors-junk-oddeven

Kaleidoscope

October 16th, 2010, 10:49 PM

Not sure if anyone has posted this already, but nevertheless here is some piece of news that is relevant to this forum:

Dutch envoy proposes closure of Manila Bay due to impacts of climate change
By Emil G. Gamos
POSITIVE NEWS MEDIA
Saturday, 16 October 2010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 17 (PNA) -- The Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines has proposed the closure of Manila Bay to save coastal communities, including Metro Manila, from heavy flooding due to the impact of climate change.

Ambassador Robert Brinks proposed the building a dam that would control the surge of high-tides in the Manila Bay, which inundate many low -lying villages in the bay area.

Brinks said communities near rivers and seas were now experiencing the impacts of climate change due to the effects of rising sea waters now flooding many lowlands.

He cited the coastal towns along the mouth of Manila Bay, particularly in Cavite , Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan and Metro Manila, where villages are constantly experiencing floods brought by high tides.

Expert said that some villages in the coastal areas were now slowly “sinking” due to the effects of climate change brought by the sudden rise of sea water in many oceans of the world.

During an inter-LGU (local government unit) forum on tidal flooding held in Hagonoy town recently, Brinks shared the 1,000 years experience of Dutch people in building dikes and dams to protect their country by preventing sea waters from claiming their lands.

He showed the map of the Netherlands and the sites where the dikes and dam were built, including the capital of Amsterdam, which is six meters below sea level but remains flood-free because of the dikes surrounding the city.

Brinks said all is not yet lost and the coastal communities can still be saved from being claimed by the sea, especially if a dam will be built around Manila Bay.

He said that if a dam will be constructed from Cavite —passing towards the island of Corregidor —to Bataan , the water inside the bay can be pumped out back to the sea, thus, preventing the surge of high tides and entry of rising sea water to low lying areas in the process.

“If you would close this ( Manila Bay ), you would not have to defend this to some sort of tsunami turn in the next 500 years, “ Brinks said while pointing to the map of Manila Bay, where the proposed dam should be built.

He said he fully knows that the impact to the economy of the Philippines will be tremendous if Manila Bay will be closed since most of the big harbors and piers are nestled at the country’s premier bay.

“I think its about time you look for new sites and build new harbors,” the Dutch envoy said.

He said that the sinking of many communities due to the impact of climate change is more economically devastating because many people will lose homes and their means of livelihood as well.

“If that happens, we will have climate refugees as more people will move to higher grounds,” he said. (PNA)

pinoy_traveler

October 17th, 2010, 04:35 AM

^^ parang maganda yan a! na parang unimaginable too!

Arvor

October 17th, 2010, 05:28 AM

Well i often go to the Netherlands and seen their massive and awesome engineering, they are definetely experts when it comes to land reclamation and water defences .

http://mediatheek.thinkquest.nl/~lld530/NL/1024x768/Afbeeldingen/Waterbeheer/afsluitdijk.jpg

This ( above ) is called the Afsluitdijk ( closure dyke ) just one of the many massive sea defences and land reclamation projects in the netherlands, this one seperates what was formally a huge chunk of the north sea into what is now slowly but surely becoming a giant sweet water lake, where huge amounts of new land has been reclaimed so far and further reclamation continues .

http://www.onrust.de/zuiderzeewerken.jpg
Afsluitdijk and reclaimed land

----

I do think that the suggestion is feasable this would also allow for a landbridge to connect both shores, also access to Manila bay could continue via a lock system that could allow ships to enter the bay while still controlling the water level, in any case Batangas and Subic aswell as Infanta in the east coast are close by and could take some of the slack as a chain of interconnected major ports in the Mega Manila region .

nwi_vEZtyGg&feature

oF1cJGn4CZE&feature

Kaleidoscope

October 17th, 2010, 12:16 PM

Wow, that is a genius work! I hope the Philippine government listens to this proposal and give it a serious consideration. Unfortunately kasi, our country doesn't have the habit of planning ahead and often times will act only on prevention measures when many lives have already been lost.:ohno:

Arvor

October 17th, 2010, 04:30 PM

http://www.buzzen.com/files/pictures/img_169513_0_63.jpg

Kaya lang like any mega project expensive, but from an engineering point of view its not impossible .

I think if the desire is to still keep Manila harbour it would be possible to just use the mobile barrier system which will keep the eco system alive, while modifying the islands of Corregidor and Caballo through land reclamation linking both islands while creating a modern lock/canal system somewhere in the middle of it for maritime traffic in and out of Manila bay .

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lu142yblv5U/SaYGCqslhSI/AAAAAAAABlo/x8NNTrcOP-o/s400/malinta+hill.JPG
View between Corregidor and Caballo island .

The rest of the reclaimed land and the new combined Corregidor/Caballo island could then perhaps be used for building some real estate or resort city like Dubai Palm island or something, while of course the main Corregidor heritage site should be left untouched.

On top of all this would be a toll bridge for road vehicles and a PNR rail line linking Bataan via Corregidor to Cavite .

Then hopefully they just close NAIA develop that into a giant park/CBD and intermodal transport hub station, build a new airport at Sangley, complete the C6 and bypass ring highway then build bridges across Laguna de bay via Talim island to connect the east coast, then another bridge or dyke to Mindoro then Mega Manila could be one of the most awesome city in East Asia Pacific :cheers: .

alcogoodwin

October 17th, 2010, 11:34 PM

Arvor

October 18th, 2010, 02:06 AM

I would hope though, that it is kept away from Corregidor Island, this is one place that does not need mainland road access to deface a truly wonderful place.
Access to Manila Harbour for ferries, at least, would certainly be preferable.

I cant see such a barrier not gracing or involving those two islands its just right in way, but i suppose some of the ideas i mentioned like building resorts on reclaimed land doesnt have to be and you could simply build the canal/lock system there with nothing else, i agree with you that Corregidor should remain a protected site .

the glimpser

October 21st, 2010, 02:22 PM

Maynilad to build 5 wastewater treatment plants in Quezon City
By Marianne V. Go (The Philippine Star) Updated October 21, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and DMCI Holdings-led Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is set to build five wastewater treatment plants in Quezon City.

The new treatments plants are expected to benefit some 6,000 households and establishments once completed in 2012.

The new sewage treatment plants are designed to replace the existing communal septic tanks under the Quezon City Communal System (QCCS), which were constructed by the People’s Homesite and Housing Corp. (PHHC) in the 1950s.

Maynilad sewerage and sanitation department head Antonio Garcia said the new facilities will be built at Congressional Ave., Grant St., Legal St., Roosevelt Ave., and Road-A St. in Quezon City.

“Clearing these areas of informal settlers caused us some delays but with the assistance of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Services, Quezon City government, National Housing Authority and other government agencies, we are finally moving forward with our sewerage projects for Congressional Ave., Legal St. and Grant St.,” said Garcia.

Meanwhile, the sewerage projects in Roosevelt Ave. and Road-A St. are still in the bidding stage. Construction of the facilities will commence once the project contracts have been awarded to the winning bidders.

The construction of the five wastewater treatment facilities in Quezon City is in line with Maynilad’s goal of improving the sanitation and health conditions of communities within its concession area, and supporting multi-sectoral efforts to clean up major water systems such as the Pasig River and Manila Bay.

“Once these treatment plants are completed, the wastewater generated by households and establishments connected to our sewer line will be given thorough treatment before discharge to nearby creeks. We will utilize processes capable of biologically treating wastewater to meet and even exceed effluent standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Garcia said.

“This initiative will improve water quality in receiving bodies of water and reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases in the area,” he added.

Maynilad is the private water and wastewater services provider for the West Zone which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres and Sta. Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Ave., EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Ave., the northern part starting from the districts of the Holy Spirit and Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon — all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario — all in Cavite Province. – With Rhodina Villanueva

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=622671&publicationSubCategoryId=66

the glimpser

October 21st, 2010, 02:23 PM

MNTC ready to launch NLEX-Harbor Link Project
(The Philippine Star) Updated October 21, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), a part of the Metro Pacific Group under the leadership of Manuel V. Pangilinan, said yesterday it is ready to launch its NLEX-Harbor Link Project, which “will be MNTC’s first expressway development under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.”

The project, MNTC president Rodrigo E. Franco said, will be undertaken as a public-private partnership to help fill the vital need for infrastructure investments in the country. The government will procure the right-of-way while MNTC will design, build, finance and operate the expressway as part of the company’s Manila North Expressway concession.

To minimize total project cost, MNTC has proposed to build a substantial length of the NLEX-Harbor Link as an elevated road over the existing rail right-of-way of the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

With the start of right-of-way acquisition by the government, Franco said MNTC is “primed to further expand” the NLEX towards the west of Metro Manila. Construction is anticipated to begin by the fourth quarter of 2011, subject to the delivery of the right-of-way by the government. The eight-km NLEX-Harbor Link project involves the construction of an extension of the NLEX main to the Manila North Road (MacArthur Highway) in Valenzuela City, and eventually to the C-3 Road which leads to the Port areas in Manila. Construction of the largely elevated road will cost approximately P8 billion which will be fully funded by MNTC.

The expansion is designed to help decongest traffic in Metro Manila as it provides alternative west access to NLEX mainline, bypassing EDSA and the Balintawak interchange. A direct route will be established to the CAMANAVA and Northern Manila areas from North and Central Luzon. Cargo trucks from the Manila harbors will have an immediate access to the NLEX via the C-3 interchange.

The project also sets the stage for the connector road — the 13-km elevate expressway that will connect NLEX from C-3 to Skyway in Buendia Avenue, Makati City.

“After conducting further studies, we are pleased to confirm that MNTC is now formally launching the NLEX-Harbor Link Project,” Franco stated in a letter dated Oct. 10, 2010 to the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

MNTC has taken a number of preparatory steps, notably coordination with pertinent government agencies, in connection with the project that forms part of Phase 2 of the Manila North Expressway concession.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is expected to issue the environment compliance certificate (ECC) for the project next month. Meanwhile, the detailed engineering design (DED) is targeted to be completed by MNTC in December.

The NLEX-Harbor Link Project comes on the heels of the completion early this year of Segment 8.1 which links the NLEX main in Valenzuela City to Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City.

MNTC is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and is the developer and concessionaire of the North Luzon Expressway.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=622675&publicationSubCategoryId=66

NTprime

October 22nd, 2010, 09:46 AM

^^ I wonder how this will enhance the competitiveness of the North Harbor area compared to the Batangas port area.

It seems to me that MVP wants to connect trade, both via sea and air to the road systems (sea via Manila Port and air to DMIA via NLEX). Hopefully in the end this will also result in the reduction of traffic caused by the large 18 wheeler trailers at SSHiWay and North Diversion Road/A. Bonifacio Avenue.

I believe the connector link will allow then the trailers to go south faster via the Skyway once Phase 3 is completed, plus Segments 9 and 10.

You can't help but admire the visionary genius of MVP in projects like these:banana: He's way smarter than many of the government department heads combined:lol:

boypad

October 23rd, 2010, 04:53 PM

MMDA chief unfazed by budget cut, vows 'productivity' :ohno:

Philstar.com - Friday, October 22

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the expected substantial budget cuts next year, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino said that the agency will implement several fiscal policies to ensure productivity.

During a meeting with MMDA officials, Tolentino ordered the finance department to submit cash inventory reports daily so he could personally monitor the agency’s expenses and revenue stream.

“These are necessary measures that we have to do in the face of this budget cut. We are assuring the public that we will continue to sustain our services and programs,” Tolentino said.

Congress has cut the MMDA’s operational budget for 2011 from the previous P2.076 billion to just P981 million.

Tolentino also required MMDA officials to submit regular personnel schedules that indicate, among others, employee assignments in certain pending projects and its expected completion. This is to allow the agency to closely monitor its current manpower resources.

The MMDA chief also tasked the concerned offices of the agency to submit their respective functional reports detailing their current plans and programs.

“Through this report, we will be able to see how many people are assigned to a particular job, the duration of their assignments, project timelines and starting and ending dates for such plans, programs, and activities,” Tolentino explained.

Tolentino also expressed confidence that despite the budget cut, the agency will continue to function more effectively.

“We will even do better because we will closely evaluate and monitor our plans and projects to ensure that only those with higher value will be implemented,” he said. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

le Reine

October 24th, 2010, 02:43 AM

^^They cut it in half! Let's see how he would go over this situation. :ohno:

swahi

October 25th, 2010, 04:35 AM

NTprime

October 25th, 2010, 05:46 AM

The coding scheme should be revised: Private cars should be banned during the morning and afternoon rush hour. It is during this period where the buses should be fielded to the maximum. During off rush hour times, the buses should be regulated. Look at the buses during these times, lucky for you to see a bus that is even half full. Regulate the buses' loading and unloading area. Don't let them weave in and out of their lanes. When they do, they stop the next TWO lanes when they swerve. We need to speed up traffic, not slow them down. The faster the people get to their destinations, the less time spent on the road, the less people ON the road at one time, the more tolerable traffic will be.

Very good observations and suggestions! I would also want the number coding to be limited to only certain major thoroughfares, and not all streets of a particular city. Case in point Makati, almost all roads leading to Bonifacio Global City are Makati streets (except C5 and SLEX), so if one was headed there during the allowable time window (usually 10AM-3PM), it will be difficult to get to BGC unless you make a lengthy detour to get to those thoroughfares I mentioned. And you know where the yellow crocodiles in the country loiter every weekday...:bash:

Linguine

October 25th, 2010, 06:16 AM

Japan commits to finance study of 2 mass rail projects

Monday, 25 October 2010 00:00

BY DARWIN G AMOJELAR SENIOR REPORTER

THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will conduct a study for the construction of two Philippine mass rail systems that will be developed by the private sector, state-run Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said. Rafael S. Rodriguez, LRTA administrator told reporters that JICA has proposed to revalidate the old study for the LRT Line 2 Extension Project and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3) Rail Link Project.

”The proposal of JICA is to revalidate the past study, particularly the revenue and costs. It should be viable to be attractive to [the] private sector,” Rodriguez said.

The official said JICA will determine the cost and the viability of the LRT 2 Extension Project as well as its environmental and social impact using a grant.

He said the JICA-Tokyo representative, LRTA and the Department of Transportation and Communications already signed the minutes of the discussion on the preparatory study for the LRT 2 Extension Project.

The LRTA expects to complete the study in six months and submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval.

The project has a 4.14-kilometer east extension of LRT 2 from Santolan Station to Masinag junction in Antipolo City with two stations (Imelda Avenue and Masinag junction) and a 1.62-kilometer west extension along C.M. Recto Ave. to Delpan Street passing in front of Tutuban up to Divisoria.

An earlier study estimated the project to cost P13.9 billion without rolling stock.

The LRT 2 Extension Project is included in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of the Aquino administration, and would be offered to the private sector next month.

Rodriguez said that JICA also proposed to conduct a study for the NAIA 3 Rail Link Project.

JICA and the Philippines however have yet to sign an agreement for the study.

The project involves the construction of a 6.2-kilometer spur line from the Baclaran station of the existing LRT 1.

The NAIA 3 Rail Link system would have four stations.

The project would have an estimated capacity of 2,800 passengers per hour per direction or 40,000 passengers a day.

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/business-columns/30205-japan-commits-to-finance-study-of-2-mass-rail-projects

Linguine

October 25th, 2010, 11:06 AM

Tolentino pushes ‘one-ticket’ plan for metro

by Rio N. Araja

METRO Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino is pushing a “one-ticket” system to make travel around the metro on all public transport easier.

Tina Velasco, MMDA spokesperson, said Tolentino met with Land Transportation Office chief Virginia Torres and discussed his “one-ticket initiative” involving the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Department of Transportation and Communications, the Philippine Coast Guard, the 17 metro local government units, and all transport groups.

Tolentino has called for a transport management summit on November 17 to iron out the initiative.

“The objective of this (summit) is to come up with an effective transportation plan in the National Capital Region that will impact our national economy,” Velasco told the Manila Standard.

She said Tolentino wants the cooperation of all stakeholders and urged them to meet their obligations in helping develop a more sustainable and effective transport use.

“This is why we call the plan a seamless summit. This is because we appeal for their full participation and cooperation to enable us set out viable transport plans,” she added.

She said Tolentino wanted the involvement of the Coast Guard in the proposed summit as part of the Pasig river transport component for Metro Manila.

“The chairman has intived other government agencies. So far, he has been receiving a favorable responses. MMDA will lead the technical working group. This is something we are excited about,” she noted.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=/2010/october/25/metro2.isx&d=2010/october/25

rickie

October 25th, 2010, 12:23 PM

NTprime

October 25th, 2010, 01:06 PM

NTprime

October 25th, 2010, 01:08 PM

nice suggestions! i'd add that we need to control the riding public as well. where and when they wait for/alight from the buses..

Combine that with the one ticket system being proposed by the MMDA chairman and we hope to have some semblance of progress along the way. Hopefully the mayors support this and the bus operators agree to police their ranks.

Arvor

October 25th, 2010, 02:57 PM

michael677

October 25th, 2010, 05:05 PM

^^

hi all,

im back with my usual report on potholes in manila. for this post il only be centering on the giant and dangerous ones, for now all of us must get used to the small and cute potholes.

i have focused my study on edsa, c5, and the cities of makati and manila.

are you ready? do watch out for these..

1.) EDSA - northbound. shaw underpass ascending. middle lane
2.) EDSA - northbound. shaw underpass ascending. innerlane
3.) EDSA - southbound. approaching buendia exit
4.) EDSA - southbound. approaching Ayala ave exit
5.) EDSA - southbound. MRT magallanes up to taft ave. all lanes
6.) EDSA extension southbound up to roxas blvd
7.) EDSA extension norhtbound - approaching taft avenue
8.) domestic road northbound - in front of MMDA crooks catching swerving. innerlane and center lane
9.) domestic road southbound - approaching mia road intersion. innerlane
9.) mia road - to airport. innerlane at stoplight with Calayan billboard
10.) lawton ave corner pasong tamo extension
11.) roxas blvd - southbound. buendia to edsa stretch. inner and center lane
12.) roxas blvd - northbound. edsa to buendia strech. outer lanes
13.) taft ave - southbound. in front of La Salle. all lanes
14.) osmena highway - norhtbound. entire stretch. inner and center lane.
15.) osmena highway - southbound. flyover. all lanes
16.) skyway - at grade portion. southbound. magallanes area. center lanes
17.) skyway - at grade portion. norhtbound. approaching buendia. innerlane
18.) magallanes interchange - southbound. center and outer lanes
19.) c5 southbound - approaching utot. inner and center lane
20.) c5 northbound - approaching bagong ilog. center and outer lane
21.) c5 southbound - bagong ilog flyover. all lanes
22.) julia vargas ave - west bound. approaching Ortigas home depot
23.) ortigas ave - east bound. in front of Medical city. all lanes
24.) makati - ayala ave west bound. in front of intercon. center lane
25.) makati - ayala ave west bound. in front of g3 and manila pen. center lanes
26.) makati - pasay road east bound. near paseo de roxas intersection. innerlane
27.) makati - gamboa st. approaching mile hi compound
28.) makati - gamboa st. approaching rada st
29.) makati - paseo de roxas - eastbound. legaspi st to ayala ave. center lane
30.) makati - de la rosa st. westbound. approaching paseo de roxas. centerlanes
31.) makati - rufino st. legaspi village. approaching legaspi st. centerlane
32.) makati - paseo de roxas - eastbound. entire stretch. from makati ave to buendia. all lanes
33.) makati - buendia. eastbound. from makati ave to paseo de roxas. centerlane
34.) makati - buendia. westbound. at intersection of ayala ave. centerlane
35.) makati - makati ave. cor hv dela costa. center and outermost lane
36.) maakti - buendia. eastbound. approaching pasong tamo. outer lane
37.) makati - ayala center. in front of mercury drug and steel carpark. innerlane, in between sm and glorietta after stoplight. inner lane, in front of greenbelt and greenbelt residences heading to paseo de roxas. innerlane
38.) makati - ayala ave extionsion. east and west bound. from ayala ave to vito cruz
39.) makati - fort -kalayaan flyover. westbound. at on ramp. innerlane.
40.) makati-fort-kalayaan flyover. westbound. after on ramp. outerlane
41.) makati-fort-kalayaan flyover. eastbound. approaching off ramp. innerlane
42.) makati-fort-kalaayn flyover. eastbound. approaching off ramp. in between inner and outerlane

i know this is not the definitive list but this is 2 weeks of careful observations..

NTprime

October 26th, 2010, 05:19 AM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3040029917_ab2da394c5_z.jpg
Someones Photo of a "love bus" mmtc on flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25653307@N03/3040029917/

Hopefully someday there will be a "manila metropolitan transport corporation" ?, a unified NCR transport system and authority would probably make things alot more efficient for public transport passengers and likely decrease traffic in the NCR .

Often wed see half empty buses and Jeepneys sure the frequency is great but its very inneficient and causes unnecessary traffic, so if we ban all the private jeepneys and buses plying the NCR and instead have a comprehensive NCR owned MMTC network wed partly solve the traffic problems .

Undisciplined driving for example by having truelly professional and trained drivers paid a full and fixed salary, reduce pollution and improve service for commuters with a dependable and consistent schedule and a comprehensive and efficient network .

Such an NCR owned company would also create economies of scale, as it will now be able to buy huge quantities of a uniformed fleet of buses, the government could then couple this with its auto industry policies by having MMTC and other metropolitan bus agencies across the country purchase or assemble their chosen bus models local or foreign by a single local company, so for example mmtc orders a mercedes bus model they could make a deal where the local designated filipino company assembles the buses, this company could then in time gain expertise and build its own models aswell as expand into producing trucks and other heavy machinery .

This was the case in the past when Imelda Marcos was governor of Metro Manila. I felt quite privileged to ride those aircon love buses in the 80s as a young boy. Even though it would have been a source of corruption, the commuting public saw the MMTC as a comfortable, convenient and reasonable way to travel within Metro Manila, especially for those who didn't have cars back then. I remember their tag line quite well ... "Ride Bus, Save Gas"

The Hino buses were top of the line back then ... air brakes, well groomed drivers and conductresses, of course air-conditioned buses and non-aircon as well. The fleet was in the hundreds, the love bus routes covered practically most of the major subdivisions (e.g. BF Homes, etc.), which are now the routes of the FX AUVs. I still prefer the Love Buses to the FX because they are less prone to being held up, the seating is far more comfortable and forward facing, and the schedules were quite reliable. And the real treat for me was when they brought in the Leyland double decker buses, I would always ride the top deck and amaze myself how they could pass underneath the pedestrian overpasses without scraping their roof.:banana:

Sad to say, the government is broke, the IMBOA with its songstress and tax evader president has too much influence over local government, and MMDA still needs more political will. If MMDA were made to cover the franchise of a number of routes (in friendly competition with the other bus lines), even if they charged higher rates, I'm sure a lot of professionals and middle class folks would take that over the LRT/MRT and other bus and FX lines.

NTprime

October 26th, 2010, 05:21 AM

michael677

October 26th, 2010, 03:41 PM

Hey, this is a great list! Most of the routes you mention I get to drive over during the course of my daily and weekend commute!

Maybe you can post pictures of such potholes (as long as you're the passenger and not the driver taking the pics) so I can also identify the ones I'm familiar with:lol:

i wish i could post pictures! but i cant since im always the driver..

i would like to add another one, just earlier:

SCTEX - after dinalupihan heading to NLEX. outerlane
EDSA - southbound. upon exiting balintawak interchange. median lane
EDSA - southbound. shaw underpass. ascending. innerlane

michael677

October 26th, 2010, 07:15 PM

to add:

areas near La Salle and st benilde college of HRM, st scholastica manila, Estrada St etc..

haay

whats causing all these potholes are :

1.) corruption
2.) non stop rain
3.) maynilad water works
4.) trucks

RonnieR

October 27th, 2010, 07:21 AM

i wish i could post pictures! but i cant since im always the driver..

i would like to add another one, just earlier:

SCTEX - after dinalupihan heading to NLEX. outerlane
EDSA - southbound. upon exiting balintawak interchange. median lane
EDSA - southbound. shaw underpass. ascending. innerlane

The list does not really make sense. You stated a particular road. It's ___kilometer or hundred meters long and there could be one or two potholes in that stretch.

In fact, I also drive in most of those roads everyday. Giant and dangerous potholes? Really? I remember before, you posted that there was a giant pothole in Roxas Boulevard corner that road where there is a Coastal Mall. It so happened that I passed the area 3 days after, yes, I saw an asphalted (new) overlay.

FlashCollider

October 28th, 2010, 06:18 AM

^^
Wala na akong tiwala sa isa na yan exgerated ang mga post nyan eh. Wag ng humingi ng response galing dyan.

Arvor

October 28th, 2010, 02:54 PM

I felt quite privileged to ride those aircon love buses in the 80s as a young boy.

Yeah same here at the end of a day trip to what was then perhaps the only real mall SM Makati and you couldnt find a taxi youd walk around to the Love Bus terminal and catch an aircon bus back to your subdivision, or i also remember riding them early in the morning to the city, unfortunetely i could only remember riding the double decker twice or so from Makati to somewhere which i forgot but yeah it was quite a treat for a kid especially that urge to get to the top floor .

Sad to say, the government is broke, the IMBOA with its songstress and tax evader president has too much influence over local government, and MMDA still needs more political will. If MMDA were made to cover the franchise of a number of routes (in friendly competition with the other bus lines), even if they charged higher rates, I'm sure a lot of professionals and middle class folks would take that over the LRT/MRT and other bus and FX lines.

Lots of large metropolises have a monopolistic and unified public transport network, i really believe that having one would reduce traffic and lead to better transport infrastructures .

I think part of the solution for the country as a whole is really to implement federalism in order to allow for more efficient governance both nationally and locally leading to better and focused long term policies and ressources .

Im especially for an autonomous MM-NCR state whitin a Phillippine federal republic with its own state flag president and parliament its own tourism agency and other services, i just cant imagine how long it would take for it to happen .

NTprime

October 28th, 2010, 04:47 PM

michael677

October 29th, 2010, 04:17 AM

Yeah my driver ran over one of these potholes (it was worse than I thought) earlier today.:bash: And the potholes in no. 42 are still there, although they were filled in with asphalt, the road is still uneven.

wow that's good news! (the filling of asphalt).

if i may, there's two more items that is more dangerous and bigger than this one:

43.) makati-fort-kayalaan flyover - westbound. inner lane at on-ramp.
44.) makati-fort-kalayan flyover - westbound. outerlane at mid section

# 44 is REALLY DANGEROUS. i saw many cars already getting tires blown out!!!! i see them almost once or twice a week parked alongside the curb with hazard lights flashing

NTprime

October 29th, 2010, 07:39 AM

wow that's good news! (the filling of asphalt).

if i may, there's two more items that is more dangerous and bigger than this one:

43.) makati-fort-kayalaan flyover - westbound. inner lane at on-ramp.
44.) makati-fort-kalayan flyover - westbound. outerlane at mid section

# 44 is REALLY DANGEROUS. i saw many cars already getting tires blown out!!!! i see them almost once or twice a week parked alongside the curb with hazard lights flashing

Some potholes were repaired a few months back but there are more that I see especially the ones you mention above. I wonder why this is the case when you don't really see heavy trucks passing the Kalayaan flyover from BGC going to Makati. Probably the sheer volume of cars' tires falling into these potholes has eroded the asphalt coupled with the recent rains has made potholes a common occurrence even on bridges and flyovers that were just recently built.

Now that elections are over (and the rainy season coming to an end), the MMDA and various local governments should start asphalting (and not cutting up the concrete roads which are still OK) these areas you mentioned before the onset of the holiday season!

pi_malejana

October 29th, 2010, 08:27 AM

michael677

October 30th, 2010, 05:24 AM

Some potholes were repaired a few months back but there are more that I see especially the ones you mention above. I wonder why this is the case when you don't really see heavy trucks passing the Kalayaan flyover from BGC going to Makati. Probably the sheer volume of cars' tires falling into these potholes has eroded the asphalt coupled with the recent rains has made potholes a common occurrence even on bridges and flyovers that were just recently built.

Now that elections are over (and the rainy season coming to an end), the MMDA and various local governments should start asphalting (and not cutting up the concrete roads which are still OK) these areas you mentioned before the onset of the holiday season!

kaya i really hate it when it rains, you cannot even see the road even with bright headlights/foglights on

regarding the flyover heading to makati section, cars already memorized the pothole on the innerlane and they calmly manuver to avoid it. you'll be fine as long as you get back to the innerlane after that, or else run into a much bigger one on the outerlane (at midsection)

kagabi i passed by the opposite direction heading towards fort (around 3am). i almost hit a car parked by the innerlane curb, wasak hood and headlights nya, most probaby he's drunk. i hope the driver is ok..

michael677

October 30th, 2010, 10:23 AM

^^
Wala na akong tiwala sa isa na yan exgerated ang mga post nyan eh. Wag ng humingi ng response galing dyan.

boss, sorry nadelay lang pero ito na.. pasensya na i had to wait for the long weekend to take pictures safely..are u ready guys? the pictures i will post will be different from the list because in fairness they had put some asphalt overlay over the weekend on some areas already

medyo madami to

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7185/img0269h.jpg

some rough portions. edsa southbound approaching JP rizal

michael677

October 30th, 2010, 10:34 AM

EDSA southbound very near the Guadalupe bridge:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6523/img0270u.jpg

EDSA southbound under mrt guadalupe MRT station:

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6120/img0273h.jpg

to be continued .......

michael677

October 30th, 2010, 12:21 PM

beware of this..

fort-makati flyover. heading towards makati. inner lane:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2303/img0337k.jpg

that taxi just ran over that crater. u can see the taxi braking suddenly. fort-makati flyover. heading towards makati. outer lane. midsection:

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9057/img0342r.jpg

ayala ave extension eastbound. cor of buendia ave:

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1830/img0286dr.jpg

.. il be back with more

michael677

October 30th, 2010, 01:05 PM

Buendia Ave - westbound. intersection ayala ave. outerlane:

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/4011/img0290i.jpg

makati-fort flyover - heading to fort. innerlane approaching off ramp:

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/9202/img0329zp.jpg

close up of the flyover pothole:

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9564/img0331jr.jpg

:) some repatch works in makati:

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/5055/img0282s.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/295/img0281s.jpg

NTprime

October 31st, 2010, 01:55 PM

beware of this..

fort-makati flyover. heading towards makati. inner lane:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2303/img0337k.jpg

that taxi just ran over that crater. u can see the taxi braking suddenly. fort-makati flyover. heading towards makati. outer lane. midsection:

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9057/img0342r.jpg

close up of the flyover pothole:

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9564/img0331jr.jpg

These ones are really bad. If you are driving a car your suspension will go with repeated passes over this. If you're traveling at high speed, you can actually burst the tire and gnarl the mag wheel.:bash:

alcogoodwin

November 1st, 2010, 11:20 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/3040029917_ab2da394c5_z.jpg
Someones Photo of a "love bus" mmtc on flickr
[

Someone is John Ward, a friend of mine who lives just to the south of Sydney.
He has got some great old shots from the Philippines, both bus and train.

alcogoodwin

November 1st, 2010, 11:22 PM

^^

hi all,

im back with my usual report on potholes in manila. for this post il only be centering on the giant and dangerous ones, for now all of us must get used to the small and cute potholes.

Small and cute potholes :lol::lol::lol::lol:
I usually use those terms to describe the women :)

Seriously though, that is a long list. You certainly spent some time on it.

NTprime

November 2nd, 2010, 03:35 AM

Quick question, although it might be more appropriate for the Fort Bonifacio thread...

which government or private entity is responsible for maintaining the asphalt surface of the flyovers leading to BGC? It seems to me we will get into a similar scenario where part of the overhead lights at the BGC flyover coming from Kalayaan are on and the rest are off (because one section is under Makati while the other is under Taguig)...

Linguine

November 2nd, 2010, 08:42 AM

Port authority to reclaim 200 hectares

STATE-RUN Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is preparing a strategic framework to develop the Manila harbor, saying it will have to reclaim 200 hectares of land to ease congestion and expand port services.

In a statement, the government agency said its charter includes powers "to reclaim, excavate, enclose, or raise any part of the lands vested in the Authority."

"In the exercise of these powers, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jose P. de Jesus gave PPA the go signal to undertake this project which can be expected to include reclamation work [to build facilities for] handling bulk commodities," the agency said.

In the same statement, PPA general manager Juan C. Sta Ana said the area between Pasig River and South Harbor, in front of Engineering Island, offers "huge potentials for commercial port operations."

"The strategic framework seeks to create additional space for hosting facilities that have not yet been made available in completed and/or proposed port projects in Metropolitan Manila without adding to the problem of congestion of ports," he said.

Mr. Sta. Ana said a reclaimed area of about 200 hectares within the Port Zone Delineation of the Port of Manila can accommodate the needs of investors who have already signified interest on the long-term operation of commercial ports.

The area will "cater to a wide range of dry or liquid bulk cargoes such as wheat/flour, minerals, petroleum products, and others which at present have to be rerouted to other sites or handled shipside because of lack of or inadequate accessible Manila-based bulk handling facilities," the agency said. -- Aura Marie P. Dagcutan
|

http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=20492

NTprime

November 2nd, 2010, 01:23 PM

^^Why do they have to resort to grand plans to reclaim land from Manila Bay? Can't they just reclaim what is justifiably theirs from the squatters living nearby?

Just look at the area near ICTSI (the squatter colonies of Baseco Compound and Farola de Tondo)...isn't Baseco the area they are referring to in the article?

They can level Baseco and use the debris from the demolished houses as filler material...ooops, it might not be compacted enough:nuts:

Jrommel

November 2nd, 2010, 03:01 PM

fort-makati flyover. heading towards makati. inner lane:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2303/img0337k.jpg

this flyover needs rehab..a total mega rehab:lol:

michael677

November 2nd, 2010, 03:55 PM

fort-makati flyover. heading towards makati. inner lane:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2303/img0337k.jpg

this flyover needs rehab..a total mega rehab:lol:

dapat now na!

true, this one is a shocker. i was surprised myself. i didnt expect this to be present in the supposedly better areas of manila.

i pass by this flyover everyday since im from fort. at least once a week, i see vehicles stalled obviously by blown tires. i know its just in a matter of time that i will see fatal accidents like motorcyclists getting killed..

michael677

November 2nd, 2010, 03:58 PM

Small and cute potholes :lol::lol::lol::lol:
I usually use those terms to describe the women :)

Seriously though, that is a long list. You certainly spent some time on it.

no actually,

in 5 mins i can give you over a hundred shitty areas in manila with cracks and potholes. pero people in the forum will just get angry so wag nalang hehe..

Linguine

November 3rd, 2010, 03:42 AM

Color coding for Metro Manila buses next on transport agenda

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) will implement a color-coding scheme in two to three years for buses that ply major thoroughfares within Metro Manila.

In a budget review of the Senate finance committee, Transportation Secretary Jose P. de Jesus said: "I understand that buses are repainted every two years anyway. Those plying EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Ave.), for example, would have one color for their body. If it’s yellow for all buses in EDSA, and you see a green bus [passing by] then enforcers can easily catch out of line buses.

"[This] is a less expensive way to [catch] out of line buses ," he added.

Mr. de Jesus said out of line violation is "one of the most committed violations of buses".

Color-coding scheme, he added, will be based on route.

Sought for comment, Jose Galsim, Philippine Bus Operators Association executive secretary, has rejected the proposal.

"That proposal will be welcomed for buses plying our thoroughfares in Manila but it would be impractical to do it for buses destined to provinces since they would be coming from various locations," he told BusinessWorld in a telephone interview.

He was referring to provincial buses that enter Metro Manila to pick up passengers.

Mr. Galsim claimed that the new scheme may be abused to harass drivers.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has completed validating franchise of buses plying EDSA.

"All authorized buses will be given a yellow sticker [as proof that their franchise is legal], if not, drivers and operators will be apprehended and asked why their franchise was not renewed," Mr. de Jesus said.

MMDA has decided to impose the number-coding scheme for public utility buses starting Nov. 15. -- Ann Rozainne R. Gregorio

[I]
http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=20544

RonnieR

November 10th, 2010, 03:19 AM

I heard that even Sen. Drilon was caught with heavy traffic in EDSA and was complaining about the empty buses plying along this major highway.

That's true. Even during rush hours, there are empty buses in ESDA and most of them are the non-AC buses. It really shows that Pinoys prefer to ride the MRT and AC buses. MMDA should prohibit those non-AC buses in EDSA or significantly reduce their number.

Come Nov. 15, the number coding shall be implemented for the buses. Let's see.

:bash:
photos of empty non-AC buses in EDSA during rush hour.
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020222.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020223.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020228.jpg

edly

November 10th, 2010, 03:37 PM

^^What happened to MMDA's drive against colorum buses? Ningas Cogon again?:bash:

boypad

November 12th, 2010, 10:27 PM

It’s all systems go for PUBs number coding on Monday :banana:

The Daily Tribune
By Pat C. Santos
11/13/2010

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy 1,800 traffic enforcers metro-wide on Monday to ensure the full implementation of the number coding scheme on public utility buses (PUBs).

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday ordered the cancellation of day-offs of all agency traffic personnel to guarantee the effective enforcement of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) scheme on PUBs.

“It’s all systems go on Monday. We will be issuing traffic violation tickets to offenders as we have informed the bus operators regarding the re-implementation of the scheme beforehand and they all agreed so there will be no excuse and nobody will be spared,” Tolentino said.

According to Tolentino, informative signages have been installed along the major thoroughfares and the South and North Luzon Expressways (Slex and Nlex) to advise the public that the number coding on PUBs will be in effect starting Nov. 15.

Around 13,000 PUBs, provincial and city, are expected to be covered by the scheme. More than 1,000 of these vehicles will be affected by the UVVRP scheme daily.

Traffic enforcers will be dispatched strategically to Slex and Nlex exits to apprehend provincial buses entering Metro Manila in violation of the number coding scheme.

The Philippine National Police will lend some of its buses to MMDA and will put them on standby together with its own five buses on strategic areas to accommodate and ferry passengers of violators to the various terminals.

Hundreds of personnel from the Roadways Clearing Operations Group and Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group will also be deployed to assist passengers from the provinces with baggage.

Foreseeing numerous violators, the agency will also use White Plains as temporary holding area for buses whose drivers or conductors will resist apprehension from traffic enforcers.

Tolentino said he received reports that several provincial bus firms had threatened to defy the MMDA in the enforcement of UVVRP.

“Should they try to resist we will detain their drivers and conductors and hold their buses until 7 in the evening,” the MMDA chief warned.

Tolentino proposed the reimplementation of number coding to PUBs as part of the agency’s efforts to decongest Edsa and other major thoroughfares.

The number coding for buses will be enforced from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. But unlike the private vehicles and other PUVs, there will be no window hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for PUBs.

After a series of consultative meetings, bus companies and operators agreed to comply with the traffic scheme, which was then approved by the MMDA’s governing body, the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

PUBs were originally covered by UVVRP but bus operators sought and secured an exemption from Malacañang in 2004.

whatuwan

November 13th, 2010, 02:59 AM

^^ say goodbye to empty buses :banana:

michael677

November 13th, 2010, 05:24 AM

^^ say goodbye to empty buses :banana:

dont pin too much high hopes

i bet MMDA will later recall it, because its christmas season already or other factors

ningas cogon din to because MMDA is not a powerful agency:lol:

absinthe_888

November 13th, 2010, 06:43 AM

Tignan natin kung meh political b@lls si Tolentino...

rickie

November 13th, 2010, 12:03 PM

i think the problem the last time they did this was protection from malacanang. i think BF is on record saying he wanted to reduce the number of buses with all means possible. but magaling kasing simipsip yung spokeswoman ng IMBOA (bIMBOA!?) so she had her way and the buses were allowed to run wild in EDSA and metro manila.

boypad

November 14th, 2010, 10:23 AM

'Follow bus coding before complaining' :)

By Jess Diaz and Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 14, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines
– Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco urged Metro Manila bus operators to follow the number coding program of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) first before criticizing it.

Tiangco, who chairs the House committee on Metro Manila development, said the plan of some bus owners to go on strike tomorrow, when the MMDA enforces the scheme, has no basis.

The operators should welcome and follow the scheme as this would result in less traffic congestion in the metropolis. This would also benefit these operators since it would translate into a shorter turnaround time for their buses, he said.

He said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino should go ahead with the number coding scheme and not be cowed by some bus owners’ threat to stage a strike because the government is not helpless.

Tiangco also denounced what he described as the illegal practices of many bus operators.

“They resort to fielding not only colorum buses, but ‘kabit’ and ‘buntis’ units. All these are illegal and are basis for the cancellation of their franchises,” he said.

Tiangco said colorum and “kabit” buses are almost the same since they are not covered by an operator’s franchise.

He said the term “buntis” (pregnant) in the bus industry means units using the license plates of franchised buses.

“In other words, some operators field two or more buses using only one license plate,” he added.

He urged the MMDA, the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to stop these illegal practices.

“All they have to do is to weed out the illegal units by checking their registration records and franchises, by rejecting bribe offers and punishing those doing these unlawful practices,” he said.

In a recent hearing conducted by the Tiangco committee, LTFRB officials said there are only 5,332 franchised buses in Metro Manila.

They said the number is not increasing since there is a moratorium on the grant of new franchises.

Tiangco, a former mayor of Navotas, expressed surprise at the number, saying recent studies have revealed that 6,000 buses are plying EDSA alone.

“EDSA is good for only 3,000 buses, but we have double that number, most of them illegal units,” he said.

He lamented that bus operators seem to resort to any unlawful activity along the road just to fatten their bank accounts.

MMDA, cops ready for bus ‘coding’

The MMDA and the Philippine National Police said yesterday they are ready for any contingency that may arise with the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Plan (UVVRP), better known as the “number coding” program for buses.

Starting tomorrow, the MMDA will implement the UVVRP for buses on an experimental basis for two months as part of a comprehensive program to ease traffic on EDSA and along the metropolis’ major roads.

Tolentino warned bus firms that they face arrest should they push through with their plan to defy the UVVRP tomorrow.

“Should they try to resist, we will detain their drivers and conductors and hold their buses until 7 p.m.,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino met yesterday with National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) commander Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome and Highway Patrol Group (HPG) head Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina to coordinate their actions.

Espina said the HPG will deploy, starting today, motorcycle teams to assist the NCRPO in traffic management and control along EDSA. The HPG, he added, will also assist the MMDA in apprehending drivers of colorum buses and bus drivers who will defy the UVVRP.

Espina added that regional HPG commanders in Central Luzon and in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) will also advise bus operators in their respective areas on the effectivity of the UVVRP.

Tolentino also placed all of the MMDA’s tow trucks on standby for possible deployment should defiant bus drivers decide to abandon their vehicles on the road. The MMDA will also rent private tow trucks.

According to the MMDA, should buses be abandoned along EDSA or along the major roads during the enforcement of the UVVRP, these will be immediately towed to the MMDA impounding area at White Plains Avenue in Quezon City.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the UVVRP for buses, the MMDA will deploy 1,800 traffic enforcers.

“It’s all systems go (tomorrow). We will be issuing traffic violation tickets to offenders, as we have informed the bus operators of the re-implementation of the scheme beforehand and they all agreed so there will be no excuse and nobody will be spared,” Tolentino said.

According to the MMDA, around 13,000 provincial and city buses are covered by the scheme. More than 1,000 of these vehicles will be affected by the UVVRP daily.

MMDA records show there are 3,732 buses plying Metro Manila routes and 3,088 provincial buses that pass through EDSA.

Unlike for private vehicles, there are no “window hours” between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for buses during their respective number coding days.

RonnieR

November 15th, 2010, 03:24 AM

dont pin too much high hopes

i bet MMDA will later recall it, because its christmas season already or other factors

ningas cogon din to because MMDA is not a powerful agency:lol:

Tignan natin kung meh political b@lls si Tolentino...

'Follow bus coding before complaining' :)

By Jess Diaz and Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 14, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines
– Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco urged Metro Manila bus operators to follow the number coding program of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) first before criticizing it.

Tiangco, who chairs the House committee on Metro Manila development, said the plan of some bus owners to go on strike tomorrow, when the MMDA enforces the scheme, has no basis.

The operators should welcome and follow the scheme as this would result in less traffic congestion in the metropolis. This would also benefit these operators since it would translate into a shorter turnaround time for their buses, he said.

He said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino should go ahead with the number coding scheme and not be cowed by some bus owners’ threat to stage a strike because the government is not helpless.

Tiangco also denounced what he described as the illegal practices of many bus operators.

“They resort to fielding not only colorum buses, but ‘kabit’ and ‘buntis’ units. All these are illegal and are basis for the cancellation of their franchises,” he said.

Tiangco said colorum and “kabit” buses are almost the same since they are not covered by an operator’s franchise.

He said the term “buntis” (pregnant) in the bus industry means units using the license plates of franchised buses.

“In other words, some operators field two or more buses using only one license plate,” he added.

He urged the MMDA, the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to stop these illegal practices.

“All they have to do is to weed out the illegal units by checking their registration records and franchises, by rejecting bribe offers and punishing those doing these unlawful practices,” he said.

In a recent hearing conducted by the Tiangco committee, LTFRB officials said there are only 5,332 franchised buses in Metro Manila.

They said the number is not increasing since there is a moratorium on the grant of new franchises.

Tiangco, a former mayor of Navotas, expressed surprise at the number, saying recent studies have revealed that 6,000 buses are plying EDSA alone.

“EDSA is good for only 3,000 buses, but we have double that number, most of them illegal units,” he said.

He lamented that bus operators seem to resort to any unlawful activity along the road just to fatten their bank accounts.

MMDA, cops ready for bus ‘coding’

The MMDA and the Philippine National Police said yesterday they are ready for any contingency that may arise with the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Plan (UVVRP), better known as the “number coding” program for buses.

Starting tomorrow, the MMDA will implement the UVVRP for buses on an experimental basis for two months as part of a comprehensive program to ease traffic on EDSA and along the metropolis’ major roads.

Tolentino warned bus firms that they face arrest should they push through with their plan to defy the UVVRP tomorrow.

“Should they try to resist, we will detain their drivers and conductors and hold their buses until 7 p.m.,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino met yesterday with National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) commander Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome and Highway Patrol Group (HPG) head Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina to coordinate their actions.

Espina said the HPG will deploy, starting today, motorcycle teams to assist the NCRPO in traffic management and control along EDSA. The HPG, he added, will also assist the MMDA in apprehending drivers of colorum buses and bus drivers who will defy the UVVRP.

Espina added that regional HPG commanders in Central Luzon and in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) will also advise bus operators in their respective areas on the effectivity of the UVVRP.

Tolentino also placed all of the MMDA’s tow trucks on standby for possible deployment should defiant bus drivers decide to abandon their vehicles on the road. The MMDA will also rent private tow trucks.

According to the MMDA, should buses be abandoned along EDSA or along the major roads during the enforcement of the UVVRP, these will be immediately towed to the MMDA impounding area at White Plains Avenue in Quezon City.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the UVVRP for buses, the MMDA will deploy 1,800 traffic enforcers.

“It’s all systems go (tomorrow). We will be issuing traffic violation tickets to offenders, as we have informed the bus operators of the re-implementation of the scheme beforehand and they all agreed so there will be no excuse and nobody will be spared,” Tolentino said.

According to the MMDA, around 13,000 provincial and city buses are covered by the scheme. More than 1,000 of these vehicles will be affected by the UVVRP daily.

MMDA records show there are 3,732 buses plying Metro Manila routes and 3,088 provincial buses that pass through EDSA.

Unlike for private vehicles, there are no “window hours” between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for buses during their respective number coding days.

Based on news this morning, MMDA and Metro Mayors are determined to strictly implement the number coding for buses.

If private vehicles, trucks and taxis have number coding, there is no reason why these buses should be exempted.

I can see that this will be successful. Good job. I used EDSA this morning instead of my usual C5 route, traffic is lighter on a Monday and rush hour!

absinthe_888

November 15th, 2010, 03:30 AM

^^ I heard in DZMM Teleradyo that some of the loading/unloading bays were sabotaged and vandalized by bus protesters with motor oil?

RonnieR

November 15th, 2010, 03:33 AM

^^ I heard in DZMM Teleradyo that some of the loading/unloading bays were sabotaged and vandalized by bus protesters with motor oil?

Yes, in EDSA Ayala Loading Bay. MMDA is set to file charges. They are investigating the incident.

hatfield110

November 15th, 2010, 03:36 AM

^^ I heard in DZMM Teleradyo that some of the loading/unloading bays were sabotaged and vandalized by bus protesters with motor oil?

Eh di i-sabotahe na rin natin ang mga bus na yan... Mga pasaway :bash:

greenshields

November 16th, 2010, 12:57 AM

Suspend all companies that participated in the strike. They're most likely the ones who are also fielding colorum units. Dapat mabigyan ng leksyon para makita nilang seryoso ang gobyerno.

Juan Pilgrim

November 17th, 2010, 03:29 PM

Buy out bus operators in Metro Manila, Sotto tells MMDA
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/206016/buy-out-bus-operators-in-metro-manila-sotto-tells-mmda

To avoid inconvenience for commuters, the Metro Manila Development
Authority (MMDA) should buy out the bus operators and monopolize bus
operations in the national capital region, Senate Majority Floor Leader
Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said Monday.

Sotto made the suggestion after bus operators staged a strike on Monday to
oppose the number-coding scheme for buses passing through the major
thoroughfares of Metro Manila...

:horse:

hatfield110

November 17th, 2010, 04:47 PM

Na-identify na ang 2 sa nag-strike na bus companies:

MMDA identifies 2 bus companies that spearheaded Monday's transport strike
November 17, 2010, 2:30am

MANILA, Philippines (PNA) - Even as bus operators denied they staged a strike on Monday that inconvenienced thousands of commuters in the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has identified two bus companies that spearheaded the transport strike to protest the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or “number-coding” scheme.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said based on reports from their personnel and field monitoring, Manrose and Jell Transit led the strike in which close to 8,500 commuters were stranded in various parts of Metro Manila and the suspension of afternoon and evening classes in Quezon City and San Juan.

“Based on our monitor, Monrose and Jell Transit led the transport strike,” Tolentino said, adding that the MMDA will forward the names of the operators to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for further investigations.

LTFRB Chairman Nelson Laluces said they will issue notices to the bus operators who participated in Monday’s strike prior to the holding of a public hearing to determine whether sanctions ranging from suspension to cancellation of their franchises will be applied.

Laluces said due process will be given to the bus operators. Earlier, the LTFRB said about 100 bus operators out of the 140 joined the strike.

But the Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association (IMBOA), through their president Claire De La Fuente, has denied Monday’s shortage of passenger buses in Metro Manila was a strike, adding that what happened was a miscommunication between operators and drivers who thought there was indeed a strike.

The group announced last Friday they would hold a strike to protest the number-coding scheme.

The MMDA said there is a pressing need for such a program, citing a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which found out that the current number of buses plying EDSA is beyond its carrying capacity.

The JICA study said EDSA has a carrying capacity of 1, 600 buses on a daily basis. At present, the MMDA said about 3,800 buses are using the thoroughfare daily.

According to the MMDA, about 13,000 provincial and city buses are expected to be covered by the scheme. More than 1,000 of these vehicles will be affected by the UVVRP scheme daily.

PUBs were originally covered by UVVRP but bus operators sought and secured an exemption from Malacañang in 2004.

The number coding for buses will be enforced from 7 am until 7 pm. But unlike in the case of private vehicles and other PUVs, there will be no window hours of 10 am-3pm for PUBs.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/node/288019/mmda-identifie

Linguine

November 18th, 2010, 01:56 AM

Too many bus operators in Metro Manila – JICA

Wednesday, 17 November 2010 00:00

THE number of bus operators which was blown out of proportion is being blamed as one of the many reasons why major thoroughfares of Metro Manila is considered one of the most traffic place in the world, an international study revealed.
Engineer Rene Santiago, who had been the leader of the group who study the traffic situation in Metro Manila under the program of
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said that the existing law on traffic is not being implemented after the former strongman; President Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown from power.

“We have a law created by then President Marcos at the height of Martial rule and this law is still in effect because no new law had been created to supersede the old law,” Santiago said in a radio interview over dzRH on Tuesday.

He explained that the 1975 law created by Marcos limits bus operators in Metro Manila to only 14 and asked small bus operators to create a group or consortium.

The traffic expert revealed that based on the study, the number of operators is now more than 600, which was allowed by the four administrations after the Marcos regime.

Sammy Martin

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/32264-too-many-bus-operators-in-metro-manila--jica

whatuwan

November 18th, 2010, 02:48 AM

Wow, 600+ bus operators? That's madness. In Singapore there are only 2-4 bus operators :nuts:

The government should pursue buying these bus operators.

NTprime

November 18th, 2010, 03:02 AM

le Reine

November 18th, 2010, 07:56 AM

[SIZE="5"][COLOR="DarkRed"]THE number of bus operators which was blown out of proportion is being blamed as one of the many reasons why major thoroughfares of Metro Manila is considered [B]one of the most traffic place in the world,One of the most traffic place?!? WTF? Ano daw? :lol:

NTprime

November 18th, 2010, 08:43 AM

MMDA wants all bus franchises canceled (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20101117-303833/MMDA-wants-all-bus-franchises-canceled)

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:26:00 11/17/2010

MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is seeking the cancelation of all bus franchises to weed out rogue operators.

A senator, on the other hand, wants to revoke the franchises and licenses of those who contributed to the transport shortage on Monday. “Maybe what we need is a legislative initiative to nullify existing franchises and have all operators apply for new ones,” said MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino.

“Just like how the Commission on Elections weeds out flying voters and double registrants, the book of voters is canceled and a new registration is held. In our case, we can junk the list of franchises and have all operators apply for new franchises. That way, we can start from zero and weed out the rogue and colorum operators,” he said.

Back on the road

While buses were back on the road Wednesday, Tolentino said some bus companies were resourceful enough to find a way to dodge the number code scheme.

“Some bus companies lent their rear license plates to other units affected by the number coding,” he said, adding that police and traffic enforcers have been ordered to check the rear license plates of all buses plying Edsa.

The majority of buses that ply the Edsa route refused to take passengers on Monday, the first day of implementation of the number coding scheme, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

No strike?

Bus operators, however, denied that there was a strike. One of their leaders, Claire de la Fuente, claimed there was just a miscommunication with their drivers who thought there was a strike when there was really none.

Asked why certain areas remain congested despite the implementation of the number-coding scheme on buses, Tolentino said the number coding scheme was meant to limit the buses on a random basis.

“But it will not totally solve the traffic problem,” he said. “Besides, there is really an oversupply of buses, that’s why even with the supposed 20 percent reduction due to the number-coding, some areas remain crowded.”

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board was expected to deliver show-cause orders to at least 80 bus firms that did not ply their routes on Monday.

Meanwhile, President Aquino said there was “bad faith” on the part of some bus operators when their buses stopped plying their routes.

“They never presented their problems. Then when I was coming home from Japan, this is what they came up with,” the President told reporters Wednesday.

“It appears that there was bad faith,” he added. “A franchise is a privilege and not a right. You have obligations that came with the privilege.

The President said he met with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and top officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office and Metro Manila Development Authority on Tuesday to tackle the traffic problems in the Metro.

Also a public service

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, on the other hand, said Wednesday he would file a resolution urging the Land Transportation and Franchising Bureau to immediately revoke the franchise and license of operators and drivers who caused the transport shortage last Monday.

“These people have just made it easier for us to remove them from the streets. They forget that bus transport is not just a business but also a public service,” Sotto told reporters.

The senator said a state bus monoploy was the best solution to the congestion on Edsa. With reports from Norman Bordadora and Gil Cabacungan Jr.

aldrichlim

November 18th, 2010, 12:25 PM

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/206331/build-new-roads-to-solve-traffic-recto-tells-govt

Build new roads to solve traffic, Recto tells govt
Senator Ralph Recto on Thursday said the government should build more roads and improve the mass transit system instead of relying on number coding schemes to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem.

"Metro Manila will double in size in 20 to 25 years (and) the problem with traffic will not be solved by way of color coding alone," Recto said during a weekly forum at the Senate on Thursday.

"You have to build, not only mass transit, but new roads and new bridges," Recto said.

The senator, who heads the Senate committee on ways and means, specifically suggested that:
# the government should build a new Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) or an elevated highway that would connect the South Luzon Expressway and the North Luzon Expressway, and

# the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit should increase the number of its coaches to accommodate more commuters at once.

"You have to make the reinvestment," he said.

"With that, people will see that there is hope, or light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak," he said.

"You want to build a smart Metro Manila. Ito ang pagkakataon natin ngayon (This is our chance). We can benefit from the economic conditions globally right now," he added.

Recto likewise said that building infrastructures will create more jobs and make the Philippine economy more competitive. "You will not be able to sustain growth without necessary infrastructures," he said.

LTFRB chairperson Nelson Laluces said around 100 bus operators participated in Monday's strike in protest to the number-coding scheme, which left more than 8,5000 passengers stranded in Metro Manila. - VVP, GMANews.TV

NO please! Yes, more roads will solve the traffic problem but this will only be a temporary solution. 1) Invest on an effective (organized and self-sustaining) mass transport system (like, bus rapid transit) that would move people effectively in an orderly manner. 2) make the city walkable, so that people will be less dependent on motorized transportation. More roads will just increase the capacity of the city to handle more vehicles which will eventually result to more traffic. To solve the traffic problem, you must simply lessen the volume of traffic. Make it look obsolete by providing an alternative and safe means of transportation (organized bus routes, walkable roads/ larger side walks, bike lanes, strictly implementing bus and jeepney stops). Building more elevated rail (lrt/mrt) is good but the average Filipino can't afford to use this w/o gov't subsidy. In other words, it is not feasible.

The answer to our problems are all there, other countries had these problems also. Why don't we look at their solutions and stop doing what we think is the right thing?

michael677

November 18th, 2010, 03:18 PM

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/206331/build-new-roads-to-solve-traffic-recto-tells-govt

NO please! Yes, more roads will solve the traffic problem but this will only be a temporary solution. 1) Invest on an effective (organized and self-sustaining) mass transport system (like, bus rapid transit) that would move people effectively in an orderly manner. 2) make the city walkable, so that people will be less dependent on motorized transportation. More roads will just increase the capacity of the city to handle more vehicles which will eventually result to more traffic. To solve the traffic problem, you must simply lessen the volume of traffic. Make it look obsolete by providing an alternative and safe means of transportation (organized bus routes, walkable roads/ larger side walks, bike lanes, strictly implementing bus and jeepney stops). Building more elevated rail (lrt/mrt) is good but the average Filipino can't afford to use this w/o gov't subsidy. In other words, it is not feasible.

The answer to our problems are all there, other countries had these problems also. Why don't we look at their solutions and stop doing what we think is the right thing?

no thats not possible and it would be such a bummer too if we would be a carless society. driving is such a great joy and everyone must have the right to it.

there should be balance and not total removal of cars on the streets

im all for building more MRT/LRT, walkable sidewalks, BRT, and highways. but i think bike lanes is more for ageing countries like europe..

michael677

November 18th, 2010, 03:21 PM

Wow, 600+ bus operators? That's madness. In Singapore there are only 2-4 bus operators :nuts:

The government should pursue buying these bus operators.

i think that the different govts already pocketed alot of money from the 600 operators. for now, lets forget the past, allow the 600 operators to operate but install measures like the color coding/RFID schemes

and then in the future, cut the number of operators and make it govt controlled

NTprime

November 18th, 2010, 03:27 PM

We need more roads but we shouldn't rely on that alone to transport the denizens of Metro Manila and the nearby provinces. The rate of car sales will always outpace the rate they build roads in MM.

What they need to do is identify and fix traffic chokepoints using flyovers or interchanges. The new roads should be the likes of C5 and C6, plus Phase 3 of the Skyway which allows vehicles to avoid traffic areas near CBDs and move on to their final destinations.

Next they need to implement road rules and regulations to the letter, no exceptions. PNoy's no wang-wang policy is just the first step...they should continue with others in order to reduce obstructions done by PUVs and PUBs, dangerous driving by motorcycles and tricycles. Not to mention illegally parked vehicles.

An effective traffic solution does not involve only infrastructure, but enforcement as well. They should apprehend traffic violators and fine them, and in cases of successive violations, impound the vehicles or suspend the driver's license of the violator. Traffic authorities should be able to make enough money to subsidize their operations if they just caught every single violator and ticketed them (even if using contactless system like CCTVs, video recordings, etc.)

neil02

November 18th, 2010, 03:30 PM

Ibalik si BF.

stickerPROXY18

November 18th, 2010, 03:48 PM

I support Sotto's suggestion. About BF's return, nevermind.

Igsuonnimo

November 19th, 2010, 06:16 AM

NTprime

November 19th, 2010, 09:32 AM

Kung sa mga liblib na lugar sa probinsya ay may mga feeder road, sana ay magkaroon din sa Greater Metro Manila Area ng mga bagong daan o access road papunta sa mga lugar na kung saan mayroon mga oportunidad.

Sana ay magkaroon din ng standardization* ang lapad o luwag ng mga daan na maaaring ihambing sa mga national roads sa ibang bansa.
Kung mapapansin nyo ang lapad at kaluwagan ng daan ng kalsadahan ng Commonwealth Avenue, maaaring sabihin na sana ito na lang ang naging EDSA kung ang volume ng sasakyan at ang mga taong dumadaloy ang pag-uusapan.

National road, primary o secondary road sa bawat kalunsuran at kanayunan ang siyang magpapabago ng pananaw ng bawat motorista at taumbayan na kung sila nga ba ay nasasakupan ng 'cityhood concept'.

Ang salitang urbanidad ay hindi lamang nakaugnay sa kultura, kilos o gawi ng isang indibidwal, ito rin ay patungkol sa lugar na kanyang ginagalawan.

* refers to the standardization of national roads, city/municipal roads, streets, alleys, public access roads.

Commonwealth Avenue has more lanes than EDSA (up to seven lanes along certain points), but it also narrows to four lanes once it hits Fairview (or just right after Wilcon Builders' Depot. Plus you have two lanes that are utilized by the U turns. Add the squatters' makeshift public market just before Litex and you have congestion all over Commonwealth Ave. EDSA doesn't have U turns in the middle of the road, they usually go through interchanges (e.g. Guadalupe, Magallanes, etc.) And hardly any stoplights except the area at the intersection of Taft in Pasay (which is a major choke point).

In order to reduce the vehicular volume during rush hour, the LRT-7 should be built ASAP. Residents from the north (Fairview, Lagro, Novaliches) will have to suffer a couple of years while construction is ongoing. But once this is finished, they can get to North Avenue in a breeze (even those from as far as San Jose del Monte). I'm sure the property values will increase in the next few years provided MRT-7 is done properly and completed on schedule.

Igsuonnimo

November 19th, 2010, 11:30 AM

^^ Yes NTprime :cheers:

Dito sa MRT-7 interesado ang mga investor na Hapon kasama na ang expansion ng LRT-2 at ang Digital TV.
Sana nga ay may maibunga itong 5.45 Bilyong dolyar(U.S.) na investment na ipinangangalandakan ni Presidente Noynoy na naiuwi nya mula sa katatapos na APEC 2010 Summit sa Yokohama (Taliba, page 4, November 16,2010).

Sana sa MRT 9, itong European Union naman ang tumulong sa atin :) , wish ko lang :banana:

gaLj

November 19th, 2010, 04:07 PM

I support Sotto's suggestion. About BF's return, nevermind.

BF was successful as MMDA chairman. Before his tenureship Metro Manila was chaotic,there were a lot of sidewalk vendors, lack footbridges, narrow roads etc.. Just like any other politicians he had some failures as well but he was able transform to transform MMDA from a non-functional (bare existing that time) to reputable/functional institution which former MMDA heads failed to accomplish.

Sky Harbor

November 20th, 2010, 03:42 AM

Igsuonnimo

November 20th, 2010, 03:54 AM

Malaki ang maitutulong ni Emerson Carlos. Napanood ko siya kagabi sa T.V. sa Adyenda.
Kailangan lang ng sakripisyo at kooperasyon.

NTprime

November 20th, 2010, 09:39 AM

^^ If you think about it, if it wasn't for Bayani Fernando, Oscar Inocentes and Francis Tolentino would have had an even greater debacle on their hands. And yet today we see people criticizing BF for a few failures (like stalled construction on the Circulo del Mundo Rotonda) despite having done so much more in terms of improving the overall quality of life for Metro Manileños. I think it's apt to give the man due credit, and I would appreciate his return to the MMDA if this administration were to do it.

I agree with you on your first statement. BF was a good manager for the metropolis, had more accomplishments than Jojo Binay (whose accomplishments were mostly for his home turf of Makati).

However BF also had his share of failed projects. The incomplete Circulo del Mundo is one. It is such a big eyesore, one of the first things foreign tourists will see when arriving in the Philippines via NAIA.

Another project that did well initially but is now considered a failure is the double elevated U turn along C5 corner Kalayaan Avenue. I take this route practically everyday. It is far worse than most chokepoints in EDSA during rush hour, when vehicles going north towards Bagong Ilog in Pasig jockey for the service road lane when the 3 innermost lanes are full. Which greatly inconveniences those who use the elevated U turn going towards Global City. What they should have done is bite the bullet and go for the more expensive system of flyovers and tunnels. They wanted to save a few months on construction time, but in the end, a lot of man hours are wasted just getting past that intersection.

One thing I also don't like are the pink fences and urinals, plus the pink overpasses and everything else BF had painted pink (especially the signs that say "nakakamatay" and "P.I. bawal tumawid"). It's not in line with international road and traffic standards.

Other than those 3 instances I mentioned, I think Bayani Fernando did a swell job at the MMDA.

Mithril Cloud

November 20th, 2010, 05:11 PM

That "P.I bawal tumawid" sign you speak of is fake.

Linguine

November 21st, 2010, 09:57 AM

Traffic-choked Greenhills will get new road

A NEW road will be built to cut through the San Juan Cemetery and Greenhills to ease the daily gridlock on Santolan and Ortigas, Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metro Manila Development Authority said Friday.

San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez had approved the construction of the road, which would mean relocating about 100 tombs from the public cemetery, Tolentino said.

“I thank Mayor Gomez for her understanding,” he said.

“We need additional roads.”

Tolentino said he had tasked Neomi Recio, head of the Traffic Engineering Center, and the Traffic and Transport Management Office to design the planned road.

He said he was also studying a proposal to enforce a total truck ban on the perpetually clogged Epifano delos Santos Avenue, the main artery dissecting Metro Manila’s cities. Rio Araja

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=/2010/november/20/news5.isx&d=2010/november/20

NTprime

November 21st, 2010, 03:26 PM

That "P.I bawal tumawid" sign you speak of is fake.

Oh good, thanks for clarifying. I had a feeling all the while it was fake but then so much bad publicity has been made about it already.

But then, the "nakakamatay" approach is for real. It doesn't seem being done in good taste. Try translating that to English...it's like "crossing the street kills" in the style of "smoking kills". Maybe if they said "jaywalkers have a higher chance of getting killed, etc." then it would sound better...too long though.

MMDA doesn't need to invest in those ugly pink signs. They should just put up a makeshift detention cell for all to see and then put jaywalkers there for at least 1 hour:lol: just like what they did in Alabang many years ago...

absinthe_888

November 21st, 2010, 04:48 PM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2XlNpunz3nU/RwCSvfgPIoI/AAAAAAAAAIU/ECiITN5HbF8/s200/bawal+tumawid2.jpg

Source (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2XlNpunz3nU/RwCSvfgPIoI/AAAAAAAAAIU/ECiITN5HbF8/s200/bawal+tumawid2.jpg)

^^ Ang tigas talaga ng ulo ng mga Pinoy. Wala talagang disiplina.

filcan

November 22nd, 2010, 04:25 AM

^^di makita yung image.

Linguine

November 22nd, 2010, 04:30 AM

good idea IMO.....

Electronic identification system for public buses pushed

Monday, 22 November 2010 00:00

PUBLIC transport leaders and local government officials wants the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Transportation and Communications to come up with an effective identification system for public utility vehicles, which they believed could put an end to the proliferation of illegal vehicles on EDSA and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

Lawyer Vigor Mendoza, chairman of the 1-United Transport Coalition (1-UTAK), believes that aside from the implementation of Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program there is also a need to have a controlled dispatch of public utility buses to be able to limit the volume of buses on the 24-kilometer stretch Edsa.

Mendoza said an Electronic Traffic Control and Dispatch System would not only help improve the flow of public vehicles along Edsa but would also help identify colorum and out of line vehicles that should not be allowed to operate.

“With such system in place we can easily reduce hundreds of illegally operating buses throughout the metropolis, which will greatly ease traffic,” Mendoza said in an interview.

The system will also ensure that only the right number of buses is on the roads to accommodate the demand of the public during the day.

The system, he said, would electronically control the allowable number of buses on the roads to accommodate the actual number of the public commuters at a specific time during the day.

“We need to use technology to address our most basic problems, such as traffic. We can no longer rely on the old traffic enforcement and monitoring schemes, which rely on human discretion and intervention alone,” Mendoza said adding the technology is already available and is being used abroad.

The transport leader noted that the system could even be implemented through public and private partnerships, so that government need not spend a single centavo.

Earlier, Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas City also raised such need to have an electronic vehicle identification as a way to curb the traffic problem just like the system used in more developed countries such as Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing system, or ERP, which utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Tiangco said the MMDA and Transportation department should look into the technologies used in other countries to effectively identify which buses may legally ply along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

Several bus companies, according to Mendoza, are open to the idea and are willing to pay for such a system if it meant that colorum and out-of-line buses would be removed from the streets.

The bus companies have also stated that they want to work with the government to address the present problems but the government should also be open to using new and better methods that have already been proven to work abroad.

Similar project was introduced by former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando in 2007 called the Enhanced Organized Bus Route Program, which involve the installation of RFID chip that will track buses plying Edsa and other major thoroughfares.

The system, however, failed to effectively solve the traffic problem along Metro Manila.

There are at least 3,000 buses operating in 25 different routes in Northern and Southern Metro Manila.
JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA

http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/32775-electronic-identification-system-for-public-buses-pushed

Linguine

November 22nd, 2010, 11:14 AM

MMDA maps out plan to decongest traffic at Ayala Center, Ortigas Center and EDSA during the holidays
By Mike Frialde (philstar.com) Updated November 22, 2010 05:50 PM Comments (0) View comments

MANILA, Philippines – Bracing for the heavy vehicular traffic flow in and around the Ayala Center in Makati City and at the Ortigas Center in Pasig City during the Christmas period, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now mapping-out possible remedial measures.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday met with top executives of the Ayala Center and the Ortigas Center with the aim of finding ways to ease traffic flow at the two popular shopping districts which connects with the 28-kilometer long EDSA.

“Traffic is everybody’s concern. We should look at it holistically rather than limiting our concerns to within one area of jurisdiction only,” Tolentino said.

Also attending the meeting were traffic officials from Makati City and Pasig City.

Tolentino said Ayala Center and the Ortigas Center contribute heavily to the volume of vehicular traffic along EDSA as these are the areas where the large shopping malls are located.

Tolentino, in particular, urged SM Megamall which is considered a part of the Ortigas Center, to inform the MMDA beforehand of any major sale that would tend to draw a large number of shoppers, in order to put in place the needed traffic plan along EDSA.

“Our experience is that during any sale, traffic leading to and from SM Megamall along EDSA is terrible. We should be notified beforehand so we could plan and make contingencies,” Tolentino said.

Meanwhile, Tolentino also raised the traffic bottleneck problem at the EDSA-Ayala Avenue intersection with officials of the Ayala Center officials and traffic executives of the Makati City government.

According to Tolentino, traffic lights along the stretch of Ayala Avenue should be synchronized to allow a faster flow of traffic into the Makati Central Business District during the morning rush hour.

Data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center show that at least 1,896 vehicles enter Ayala Avenue from EDSA southbound every hour during the morning rush period of between 6 am and 9 am while 1,309 vehicles stream from the Magallanes area.

Tolentino also proposed that a loading and unloading point be set-up at Onyx Avenue inside the Ortigas Center, to accommodate FX garage taxis that unload passengers along the Meralco Avenue near the foot of the Meralco flyover.

“This is only the start of the things that we will be doing for the next few months to relieve EDSA of traffic congestion,” he said.

Kintoy

November 22nd, 2010, 12:16 PM

can we add those pesky cadena de amor vines climbing up the MRT pillars to some of BF's unsound legacy?

[jeyps]

November 22nd, 2010, 12:30 PM

Is there a way for us to see the CCTV cams of MMDA streaming online live? I have been searching the net for this ... anyone knows if there is a service like this?

michael677

November 22nd, 2010, 04:20 PM

:ohno:

He said he was also studying a proposal to enforce a total truck ban on the perpetually clogged Epifano delos Santos Avenue, the main artery dissecting Metro Manila’s cities. Rio Araja

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=/2010/november/20/news5.isx&d=2010/november/20

im against this one,

EDSA remains the lifeline of major industries that use trucks to transport goods. until we build a better alternative, the trucks must be given access or else our economy will suffer greatly

philippines is so poor:ohno: we only have one road that connects SLEX and NLEX direclty

Sky Harbor

November 22nd, 2010, 05:05 PM

can we add those pesky cadena de amor vines climbing up the MRT pillars to some of BF's unsound legacy?

You can't blame him for following the law: the cadena de amor is the regional flower of Metro Manila.

pi_malejana

November 22nd, 2010, 06:11 PM

;67571429']Is there a way for us to see the CCTV cams of MMDA streaming online live? I have been searching the net for this ... anyone knows if there is a service like this?

i'm not sure... but on their twitter account (http://twitter.com/MMDA) they regularly post updates about the traffic together with a pic from their traffic cams...:D

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/196795212.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1290446753&Signature=boh5k9%2BJuYLyMqUc3ga9jlYqvIU%3D

http://twitpic.com/photos/MMDA

NTprime

November 23rd, 2010, 01:22 AM

:ohno:

im against this one,

EDSA remains the lifeline of major industries that use trucks to transport goods. until we build a better alternative, the trucks must be given access or else our economy will suffer greatly

philippines is so poor:ohno: we only have one road that connects SLEX and NLEX direclty

Aren't large trucks and trailers supposed to pass along SSHiway (J Rizal Highway from Magallanes to Quirino), then through some side streets of Manila, then through A. Bonifacio Ave. in Caloocan before exiting at Balintawak? I don't see large 10 wheeler trucks and the like along EDSA, only 6 wheelers. Unless these are what Tolentino wants to ban ... in which case, I agree with you because it will be C5 that will suffer as a result.

kalbongdad

November 23rd, 2010, 01:25 AM

can we add those pesky cadena de amor vines climbing up the MRT pillars to some of BF's unsound legacy?

ako gusto ko sya.....at least it softens the surrounding concrete and besides wala naman kayong mga pera kaya magtiis kayo....sa damong gala....:lol:

NTprime

November 23rd, 2010, 01:40 AM

absinthe_888

November 23rd, 2010, 06:01 AM

^^ Meron nang parang RFID project dati si BF diba? na TRO ata.

Tignan mo yung mga bus sa Manila, nakakabit pa din sa windshield nila yung RFID cards.

pi_malejana

November 23rd, 2010, 06:09 AM

^^ anu nga kayang nangyari dun??:dunno:

sabi jan sa article: "Failed to effectively solve the problem along Metro Manila."

absinthe_888

November 23rd, 2010, 06:28 AM

^^ How can it fail when it was not implemented in the first place :ohno:

pi_malejana

November 23rd, 2010, 06:37 AM

kahit gaano ata kalakas ang political will mahihirapan din eh, pati ung LTFRB may RFID program din ini-scrap tapos ni refund pa ung mga bumili sayang lang...:ohno:

sana this time maipatupad; mukhang may tiwala pa naman mga tao kay PNoy at sa mga tauhan nya eh...:)

Sky Harbor

November 23rd, 2010, 07:20 AM

^^ The bus operators opposed the RFID scheme and the MMDA was forced to back down before via a TRO that they (the bus operators) filed. Who's to say they won't do it again?

victorlachica

November 23rd, 2010, 09:33 AM

Time to decongest Metro Manila

le Reine

November 23rd, 2010, 11:56 AM

Again, as BF would say...POLITICAL WILL. Many of the MMDAs projects have good ideas, it's just ensuring that these are implemented which is the big IF.
^^ Meron nang parang RFID project dati si BF diba? na TRO ata.

Tignan mo yung mga bus sa Manila, nakakabit pa din sa windshield nila yung RFID cards.Good ideas would always be there. In my understanding, the problem with MMDA and Metro Manila in general is practically the lack of legal basis for them to implement various policies because it has to be approved unanimously by the MMDA council, which is composed of the Chairman and the MM mayors. Dealing with these mayors is difficult in itself (as what we have seen during BF's term). Instead of working and implementing policies, they waste so much time debating and arguing against each other.

Also, as what we have seen in the past, the SC will just issue a TRO in every controversial policy the MMDA will implement with the excuse that MMDA is merely an administrative body, hence it cannot impose sanctions and penalties because it doesn't have police power, that power still lies in the LGUs and other agencies. Policies without teeth are useless.

Other functions are also shared with other government agencies like DENR, DPWH, DOTC, etc. Coordinating with these agencies is always a problem. WORSE, there are functions that overlap within various departments. For example, it is confusing what the LTFRB, LTO, MMDA and the LGUs could do with regards to land transportation management. The issue with single ticketing is a good example. Even the President wasn't able to do anything to solve it.

Kintoy

November 23rd, 2010, 12:34 PM

wala nang nalalaman ang mga yan kundi mag-palgiarize at magbigay ng TRO

NTprime

November 23rd, 2010, 03:25 PM

le Reine

November 24th, 2010, 08:55 AM

^^I have to agree with Kintoy on this one. Police powers and enforcement are the function of the executive department, the Supreme Court has more pressing things on its hands rather than TROs and plagiarism.

The problem after Marcos left is that the first Aquino administration wanted to curb abuses of power, hence the MMDA chair is not as powerful as the Metro Manila governor (who was Imeldific). C'mon, it's been more than a decade, surely there are some well-meaning local executives who are looking after the interest of the general public, not kowtowing to the whims of feuding local officials!The SC is still the SC. To make it change seems like wishful thinking.

Police powers and enforcement indeed are functions of the executive, but when someone comes to the SC to protest (as what our "beloved" transport groups and informal settlers have constantly done), that power would be useless, unless you want to have a constitutional crisis.

As for the local executives, I believe that no matter how "well-meaning" they are, if the setup doesn't allow them to do what they want to do, then what's the point, right? Of course, the Chairman might have his own powers, but in the present setup of the MMDA, s/he's merely an agent of the MMDA Council. As you've said, it's been more than a decade; but until now, no one has actually made a significant progress in solving the Metro's problems - still the same problems, only worse.

I just gave the situation previously, but still no one knows what to do to solve these problems. I just wish Congress would amend the laws that grant power to the MMDA. But for now, I think the MMDA's existence is vague and useless.

NTprime

November 24th, 2010, 02:53 PM

The SC is still the SC. To make it change seems like wishful thinking.

Police powers and enforcement indeed are functions of the executive, but when someone comes to the SC to protest (as what our "beloved" transport groups and informal settlers have constantly done), that power would be useless, unless you want to have a constitutional crisis.

As for the local executives, I believe that no matter how "well-meaning" they are, if the setup doesn't allow them to do what they want to do, then what's the point, right? Of course, the Chairman might have his own powers, but in the present setup of the MMDA, s/he's merely an agent of the MMDA Council. As you've said, it's been more than a decade; but until now, no one has actually made a significant progress in solving the Metro's problems - still the same problems, only worse.

I just gave the situation previously, but still no one knows what to do to solve these problems. I just wish Congress would amend the laws that grant power to the MMDA. But for now, I think the MMDA's existence is vague and useless.

I tend to agree with your last two statements. The MMDA is like an usher to a club but not as effective as a bouncer.:lol:

Askal82

November 25th, 2010, 06:42 PM

Good ideas would always be there. In my understanding, the problem with MMDA and Metro Manila in general is practically the lack of legal basis for them to implement various policies because it has to be approved unanimously by the MMDA council, which is composed of the Chairman and the MM mayors. Dealing with these mayors is difficult in itself (as what we have seen during BF's term). Instead of working and implementing policies, they waste so much time debating and arguing against each other.

Also, as what we have seen in the past, the SC will just issue a TRO in every controversial policy the MMDA will implement with the excuse that MMDA is merely an administrative body, hence it cannot impose sanctions and penalties because it doesn't have police power, that power still lies in the LGUs and other agencies. Policies without teeth are useless.

Other functions are also shared with other government agencies like DENR, DPWH, DOTC, etc. Coordinating with these agencies is always a problem. WORSE, there are functions that overlap within various departments. For example, it is confusing what the LTFRB, LTO, MMDA and the LGUs could do with regards to land transportation management. The issue with single ticketing is a good example. Even the President wasn't able to do anything to solve it.

That's called bureaucratic b/s. :lol:

Kintoy

November 26th, 2010, 11:11 AM

greenshields

November 27th, 2010, 07:46 AM

Dapat pala i-TRO ang SC from issuing TRO's, hehe. Kidding aside, there are more pressing matters that the SC should spend time for rather than go on adventures pertaining to transport and traffic in this country.

Meanwhile, the MMDA given its battery of lawyers especially the Chair should already work towards strengthening even revising provisions that make the MMDA weak as against LGUs strong enough to do as they wish to the detriment of other LGUs and MM as a whole. Isn't the traffic summit scheduled on Dec. 3? I know at least of the DPWH and DOTC making preparations for that summit where the former will be presenting its infra plans for MM particularly on grade separation and traffic control, and the latter featuring its own plans on rail transport. Perhaps the LTO and LTFRB should also present on how they will address traffic problems that are rooted on their shortcomings in the past so many years?

kratos1211

November 27th, 2010, 05:25 PM

MMDA eyes Jakarta bus lane system for EDSA
By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking into the possibility of adapting Jakarta’s TransJakarta express bus lane system to address the problem of congestion along EDSA.

According to MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, his agency sent a team to Jakarta to explore the viability of the system as one of several possible measures to alleviate the problem of traffic congestion along the 24-kilometer main highway of Metro Manila.

Tolentino said the existing “yellow bus lanes” along EDSA could be modified to make it similar to Jakarta’s bus lanes.

Tolentino said buses in Jakarta using the TransJakarta bus lane could not weave in and out of traffic along the highway as their lane is not only in the middle of the highway, it is also separated from the rest of the highway’s lanes by concrete blocks.

“Buses cannot leave the lane as they will be separated from the rest of the traffic by a concrete divider instead of a yellow lane,” he said.

Tolentino added should the plan materialize, buses along EDSA can only stop at designated elevated terminals or bus stops, similar to the ones now being used in Jakarta.

But unlike buses in Jakarta that have special wide doors which are the same height as the terminal gates, buses plying EDSA will have to have the first step of the “estribo” or running board removed.

By removing the first step of the estribo, Tolentino said passengers can only board and alight the bus on the designated elevated stops or terminals as the second step would then be of the same height as the platform of the elevated stop.

“We will have to remove the first step and align the platform of the station with the bus’s second step,” he said.

Like in Jakarta, the concrete divider bordering the bus lane would ensure that buses along EDSA would run in a straight lane from one terminal to the next.

For nearly a week now, MMDA executives have been meeting behind closed doors with experts in the transportation and urban planning sectors to come out with doable proposals to solve EDSA’s traffic problems.

The viable proposals will be made public by the MMDA on Dec. 3, Tolentino said.

le Reine

November 27th, 2010, 06:42 PM

^^I'm just curious. Are they going to implement that even with the same no of bus operators in MM? I think the no of bus operators in MM is around 600, based from the previous articles that I've read here in SSC.

ionmarx

November 28th, 2010, 02:40 PM

^^ Yep, this will be one of the factors which can really affect the implementation of this plan. I like this plan though, since putting the bus lanes in the middle of the highway will free up the outer lanes for use by other vehicles that need to make an exit from EDSA (which is quite difficult to negotiate these days especially when buses don't let you!)

Magka-bay*g lang si Tolentino para lang makontrol ang bilang ng mga bus sa EDSA, panalo na. Malaking bagay na yun. Wag lang eepal si Claire dela Fuente.

whatuwan

November 28th, 2010, 02:47 PM

It's almost 2 weeks since the bus number coding is implemented. Is traffic in EDSA now better or worse or unchanged?

NTprime

November 29th, 2010, 04:46 AM

Yes, Tolentino's proposal makes sense, even though it looks physically challenging to implement. It's like putting blinders on a horse so it will look straight at the road ahead.

Buses, when they clog the rightmost 2 lanes, swerve to outflank each other and in the process take the 3rd and 4th lanes of EDSA, which forces vehicles in the innermost lanes to slow down, thus causing chokepoints which stretch hundreds of meters back.

My ideal would be to convert all the buses into trolley style, which means lessening pollution as these are electric powered. This solution affects buses only unlike the concrete blocks in the Jakarta solution, which could pose problems to other vehicles when the scheme is first implemented.

Planning Democracy

November 29th, 2010, 10:25 AM

boypad

November 29th, 2010, 10:40 AM

Sky Harbor

November 29th, 2010, 01:01 PM

all those bus operators must combine into one cooperative so that implementation would be easier.

They already have an organization: the Integrated Metropolitan Bus Operators Association (IMBOA), led by Claire de la Fuente. Perhaps you mean a single bus operator?

pau_p1

November 30th, 2010, 04:27 AM

may be the government needs to take over the bus operations once again... parang palengke kasi sa EDSA.. nag uunahan sa pasahero ang mga bus...isisiksik hangga't may masisiksikan para makarami...

also, I think LTFRB should mandate that buses that ply our roads should be City type buses and not Provincial type buses... most buses on EDSA only have 1 door in the front and inside, seats and aisles are narrow... this adds to the reason why boarding and unboarding takes a long time...

kala ko ba yung mga taga-mmda na yan eh may natutunan sa mga pagpunta nila sa abroad sa pag oobserve nila sa public transport system ng ibang bansa... hmmm...

pi_malejana

November 30th, 2010, 07:02 AM

http://www8.gmanews.tv/images/topstories/ZZZ_113010_1.jpg
Rush hour blues. Commuters occupy the center of Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City on Tuesday morning as they wait for their rides. GMANews.TV (http://www.gmanews.tv/index.html)

may be the government needs to take over the bus operations once again... parang palengke kasi sa EDSA.. nag uunahan sa pasahero ang mga bus...isisiksik hangga't may masisiksikan para makarami...

also, I think LTFRB should mandate that buses that ply our roads should be City type buses and not Provincial type buses... most buses on EDSA only have 1 door in the front and inside, seats and aisles are narrow... this adds to the reason why boarding and unboarding takes a long time...

kala ko ba yung mga taga-mmda na yan eh may natutunan sa mga pagpunta nila sa abroad sa pag oobserve nila sa public transport system ng ibang bansa... hmmm...

mostly kasi second hand ung kinukuha ng mga companies na yan, ung mga galing sa provincial bus companies... andaming murang mga brand new at surplus na bus ngayon, isa din yan, malamang namamahalan sila sa pag modify ng mga upuan... o baka naman gusto lang nilang ma-maximize ung kita haha...:D:2cents:

Planning Democracy

November 30th, 2010, 07:24 AM

They already have an organization: the Integrated Metropolitan Bus Operators Association (IMBOA), led by Claire de la Fuente. Perhaps you mean a single bus operator?

Claire de la Fuente the tax evader? :lol: Yep, but I think it should be more than an association, short of being one bus operator, they could form one big cooperative so that all the current operators will have a stake in the new scheme.

NTprime

November 30th, 2010, 08:01 AM

MMDA: Cars crowding Edsa, too

Manila Standard Today
Novenber 29, 2010

AFTER the number-coding for buses, the Metro Manila Development Authority is blaming private vehicles for clogging up Edsa.

Traffic consultant Eduardo Bayangos, during the agency’s weekly radio program, said more people should be using the mass transport.

“There is really a need to reduce the number of private cars,” he said.

But mayors of the 17 localities making up the Metro Manila Council in October, rejected the odd-even plan of MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino to ban both private and public utility vehicles from Edsa on three days, and instead approved the reduction of buses based on number-coding from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15, 2011.

“We can accept and study whatever your recommendations are so we can improve the scheme,” he said, pressing the urgency of curbing the number of cars further.

Under the odd-even scheme, license plates ending in 1,3,5,7 and 9 are disallowed on Edsa Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, respectively while those ending in 0, 2,4, 6 and 8 are correspondingly banned Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

“May be, we can modify the scheme and implement window hours,” Bayangos said, sensing opposition to the measure.

Another agency consultant Ramon Santiago, former chief of the Road Safety Division, said more private cars out of Edsa would help improve vehicular flow on the 24-kilometer road.

“We cannot just single out buses, but we also have to look into the traffic being caused by small vehicles,” he said.

A study funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency reckoned about 2,800 buses on Edsa where about 1,600 were only needed.
Rio N. Araja

You can't blame the cars completely simply because of their numbers. For one, public transport is still unreliable for those who live very far away. Second, the MRT is still crowded so they should implement the increases right away so they can recoup some of the losses and discourage the price-sensitive MRT riders to take the buses instead. Third, cars don't have large parking areas near MRT stations, so that's a hassle and a risk. Fourth, cars are only allowed to occupy four out of six lanes in EDSA. The problem comes when buses go beyond their two rightmost lanes and spill into the cars' lanes.

Why not try a CBD limited access approach where people have to pay to enter, like in Singapore? That will surely discourage car owners from bringing their cars to the CBD everyday, which will encourage them to carpool.

Linguine

November 30th, 2010, 03:30 PM

Edsa declared special traffic zone
Tuesday, 30 November 2010 20:55 Claudeth Mocon / Correspondent

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday announced the creation of the Edsa Special Transport and Traffic Zone on the 28-kilometer, long Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino appointed his deputy, Alex Cabanilla, to oversee traffic enforcement on the stretch of Edsa. Cabanilla will be assisted by Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos; the district ground commander, Maj. Epifanio Domingo; and working team supervisors Maximo Dilla, Eduardo Untalan and Dante Langkit.

“I urge you to honestly perform your duties to manage traffic on Edsa and urge all the enforcers to live by the MMDA motto: Marangal, Matapat, Disiplinado Ako (I am honorable, honest and disciplines),” Tolentino said during simple rites held at the Fort Bonifacio Grandstand in Taguig City.

Tolentino said some 400 traffic enforcers who attended the kick-off ceremony will be assigned on Edsa.

He said the project is just part “of the things that we will doing in the next few months to relieve Edsa of traffic congestion.”

Incentives also await traffic enforcers who will do their job well—scholarship grants, awards and citations.

For his part, Cabanilla urged traffic enforcers to promote the buddy system and generate a spirit of cooperation and advocated the adoption of car pooling, and increased vigilance for motorists involved in traffic accidents and congestion.

“We should do well here, since this is the catalyst of our performance on traffic management and for this we will group our enforcers into teams that will be accountable for their respective areas,” Cabanilla  said. He added that the creation of the Edsa Special Transport and Traffic Zone is a management approach to handle the Edsa traffic gridlock. “We will strengthen existing monitoring systems and put in place people who can be relied and depended upon to enforce traffic rules and regulations,” he added.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/4386-edsa-declared-special-traffic-zone

Kintoy

November 30th, 2010, 04:31 PM

parang ang dumi na naman ng EDSA ngayon.

greenshields

December 1st, 2010, 04:06 AM

What's in a name? I'm curious about the details for the Special Transport and Traffic Zone. They did that some years back to Commonwealth, naming it a Traffic Discipline Zone. Hayun, killer road pa rin because of the many crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians. Sa EDSA naman mamamatay ka sa inis dahil sa traffic. ;P

rickie

December 1st, 2010, 04:35 AM

^^ exactly.. in other words, e ano ngayon?

there was not even a mention of what this new team will do, plans to do, etc etc.. all the reports are the same.. goes to show the quality of reporters we have...

absinthe_888

December 1st, 2010, 09:53 AM

What I find hilarious and sad at the same time is the creation of these "Traffic Discipline Zone" where traffic laws and regulations will be enforced strictly kuno...eh diba dapat sa lahat ng kalsada pinapatupad traffic laws?

ionmarx

December 1st, 2010, 04:34 PM

absinthe_888

December 1st, 2010, 06:06 PM

SC allows MMDA to continue coding for buses plying EDSA (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=635383&publicationSubCategoryId=63)
By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star)
Updated December 02, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court has allowed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to continue implementing its new number-coding scheme for public utility buses operating along EDSA.

The SC did not issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by four bus drivers that filed a petition last week to stop the enforcement of MMDA Resolution No. 10-16.

Lawyer Ma. Victoria Gleoresty Guerra, acting chief of the Court’s public information office, said the justices tackled the case during a full-court session last Tuesday and decided to just require MMDA to answer the petition by filing a comment within 10 days from receipt of notice “without giving due course to the petition.”

“There is no TRO issued by the Court, so there is no legal impediment for the implementation of the new MMDA scheme,” she told a press conference.

Guerra said the Court did not see the urgency to issue the TRO and would just wait if petitioners would reiterate their prayer for such relief in their next pleadings.

She explained that it is still possible for the Court to stop the new scheme when it rules on the merits of the petition.

In their petition, drivers Samson Pantaleon, Eduardo Tacoyo Jr., Jesus Bautista and Monico Agustin asked the SC to nullify the MMDA scheme for lack of supporting law.

They also alleged that the scheme violated RA
7924 (MMDA Charter), which does not give the MMDA any police or legislative power.

“The challenged circulars are also in violation of Commonwealth Act No. 146 as amended, also known as the Public Service Act, and in relation to the due process clause of the Constitution as mandated in Section 1, Article III of the 1987 Constitution as it affects petitioner’s right to work and their right to a decent living,” the petition stated.

“A franchise is a property right and cannot be revoked or forfeited without due process of law,” the petition stated, quoting Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) vs. the National Telecommunications Commission.

Petitioners also claimed that the new scheme would result in “less income for them, less food on the table, less education allowance for their children, and a lowering of their quality of life, causing great and irreparable injury.”

Limit on lifespan of buses eyed

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista disclosed that there is an ongoing review of a proposal to limit the operation of passenger buses in Metro Manila to only 10 years.

Bautista, head of the special committee recently created by the Metro Manila Council to decongest traffic, said the plan to shorten the useful life of passenger buses in Metro Manila involves the use of the regulatory powers of government to resolve the traffic problem.

He said this would introduce new and more efficient buses in Metro Manila to replace the old units that could be used in the provinces instead.

Bautista clarified that the proposal is not yet final and is still being studied.

Stakeholders, particularly the bus company owners, will be consulted about the proposal.

He said the proposal would be presented to the Metro Manila Council, which will decide whether to adopt it or not. – With Reinir Padua

NTprime

December 2nd, 2010, 12:09 AM

^^Bravo to the Supreme Court! Now, if they can withhold issuing TROs that prevent other infrastructure projects (e.g. TR3/SLEX extension to Star tollway) from continuing, then we should see some progress soon!

NTprime

December 2nd, 2010, 03:08 AM

Posted in the Rail Infrastructure thread. Interesting read.

Metro transport system has to be overhauled

By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE METRO Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is right: all the bus franchises should be canceled and the rogue operators should be weeded out. The bus operators can then apply again.
The problem is that too many franchises have been issued to operate buses in Metro Manila. And also jeepneys and tricycles. Anybody can see that. Thus buses run half empty, jeepneys waiting for hours at their terminals, their drivers sleeping in them for half the working day, and long lines of tricycles wait for passengers.

How can they continue to operate? It can only be because they are overcharging their passengers. The few passengers they have are paying for all the empty seats.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has been very liberal in granting franchises to bus and jeepney operators, and local government units (LGUs) to tricycle operators. In previous administrations, anybody who could pay the right price to fixers and LTFRB officials was given a franchise. There are operators with franchises to operate many units although they do not have those units. They rent them out to other operators under the kabit system.

To decongest the streets of Metro Manila, its transport system has to be overhauled. To start with, the boundary system has to be abolished. That is what forces drivers to violate traffic rules.
The operators have it so good. The drivers pay them a fixed boundary for the use of the buses and jeepneys over a specified number of hours. What the drivers earn above the boundary is their take-home pay. This forces cutthroat competition among them. To earn more, the drivers are forced to violate traffic rules, dawdling at loading/unloading zones to wait for passengers, blocking other vehicles so they can’t get to the waiting passengers ahead of them, darting in and out of lanes when they see prospective passengers, racing with their competitors to get to the waiting passengers first, stopping in the middle of streets to load and unload passengers. All of these contribute to traffic jams.
Drivers and conductors should be paid salaries so that they will keep regular working hours, stick to regular trip schedules, become members of the SocialSecurity System, PhilHhealth and Pag-Ibig, be entitled to 13th month pay and paid vacation and sick leaves. Under the boundary system, the operators don’t pay the employers’ shares to the SSS, PhilHhealth, and Pag-IBIG, 13th month pay, and vacation and sick leaves. They just get the boundary from the drivers who must fend for themselves. Somebody should file a bill to abolish the boundary system.

Then there should be a unified mass transit system in the metropolis. The most efficient transport systems in the world’s cities are operated by their governments. I am not saying that our government can do the same thing, but because we have hundreds of independent operators in the city, there is anarchy and chaos.
In other cities, you can tell the time of day at the bus stops. The buses have strict time schedules; they have to be at a certain stop at a certain time. Commuters can time their comings and goings. They know that when they arrive at the bus stop at a certain time, there would be a bus arriving and it would reach hisdestination at a definite time. If he misses a bus, he knows that another one would be coming in five minutes. There is no need for crowding and long lines.

The Department of Transportation and Communication should not only unify the operations of the buses and jeepneys but also incorporate the elevated rails, commuter trains of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) and the river ferries into the system, perhaps even allowing the interchangeable use of tickets as they do in other cities.
With so many independent operators and drivers, there will surely be opposition to a unified system, but there is no other way and the government must have the will power to do what is right.
Under Bayani Fernando, the MMDA had a plan to makebuses wait at terminals to be dispatched as needed, not only to decongest the streets, stop cutthroat competition, but also to save on fuel and other operating costs. That was a sensible plan. What happened to it?
As I said in a previous column, the railroad and the river ferries can take much of the traffic load off the streets. If the railroad can take passengers and cargo to and from the north and south of Metro Manila, they don’t have to contribute to the clogging of Edsa, C-5 and Rizal Avenue if they take land vehicles through downtown Metro Manila.

We are fortunate that we have many waterways, such as the Pasig, Marikina, San Juan, Tullahan-Tenerejos and other rivers, that can be used for transport, as has been done very efficiently in Bangkok, Sydney, and other cities. Waterways were our principal means of transportation in the old days but we were seduced by American automakers to switch to land transportation. The result is the present road anarchy.
Let us use these rivers again. We should encourage the use of the Pasig River ferry. Give the operatorloans, subsidies, tax holidays to encourage him. A ferry along the Pasig to Laguna Lake will open up the lakeshore towns of Rizal and Laguna to development. By converting the two banks of the Pasig River into roads, two more avenues to eastern Metro Manila, Rizal and Laguna would be added. This would increase the value of lots along the Pasig and thus increase the real estate taxes of local government units.

In Sydney, the most valued properties are along the river from downtown Sydney to the sea. A ferry services it 24 hours a day. Those who watch a concert at the Sydney Opera House in the evening can hop on theferry to go home even at midnight.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20101119-304050/Metro-transport-system-has-to-be-overhauled

Linguine

December 3rd, 2010, 10:17 AM

:ohno::ohno:....just to get in the news.....:bash:

'Kuligligs' find ally in Jinggoy
By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
December 3, 2010, 4:56pm

MANILA, Philippines — Instead of looking at “kuligligs” or motorized pedicabs as “pests of the road,” these should instead be appreciated as another characteristic of Filipino ingenuity and a transportation that would cater to the needs of daily local commuters, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Friday said.

Estrada, who chairs the Senate committee on Labor and Employment, said it is high time the government study the possibility of introducing “kuliglig” in the mainstream transportation sector instead of dealing with the issues of legality through violent means.

The senator said this in reference to the violent dispersal of “kuliglig” drivers who earlier protested the Manila City government’s move to ban their operations.

“In resolving this issue, thorough studies of the matter as well as extensive consultations with all concerned sectors should be undertaken,” said Estrada.

Estrada also said he will initiate feasibility studies of having kuligligs” registered, covered by traffic rules and regulations, meeting safety and public service standards especially for passengers and paying corresponding taxes and fees to the government.

He noted that motorized pedicabs actually help advance local commuters needs for short-distance traveling such as to and from nearby marketplace and grocery stores, drugstores, health centers, schools and the main transport terminals.

The problem with “kuligligs”, Estrada noted is that they are not registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) among other issues.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/290740/kuligligs-find-ally-jinggoy

kenjikun07

December 3rd, 2010, 12:51 PM

DOTC eyes Chinese grant for PH national railway master plan

By U.S. News Agency / Asian
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has sought an assistance from the Chinese government to finance the country’s first national railway master plan.
DOTC Secretary Jose de Jesus told reporters that he requested an assistance from China in developing a national railway master plan that will identify priority segment that can be undertaken on a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.
“We are still in the scoping stage. We hope it [the master plan] can cover the entire country, but it depends on the amount of assistance that would be obtained from Chinese government. We will request it on a grant basis,” De Jesus said.
Rail projects that the government identified for PPP projects include the construction of LRT Line 2 East Extension Project and LRT Line 1 South Extension and Privatization Project.
Based on the feasibility study submitted by Marubeni Inc. to LRTA, the cost of civil, electro-mechanical works and 12 rolling stock for the east and west extension of LRT Line 2 amounted to P13.898 billion between 2012 and 2015.
The extension of eastward of LRT Line 2 involves the construction of two additional stations from the existing Santolan station at Marcos Highway.
For westward extension, the LRT Line 2 will extend from Recto station until Delpan Street in front of Tutuban up to Divisoria Mall.
The LRT Line 1 South Extension project, on the other hand, is estimated to cost about $ 1.844 billion. The project aims to extend the existing 15-kilometer LRT 1 southward by an additional 11.7 kilometers, of which approximately 10.5 kilometers will be elevated and 1.2 kilometers at-grade.
Other PPP candidates are the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NIA) Terminal 3 Link Project; Northern/Southern Intermodal Transport System, Mindanao Railway, and the Bus Rail Transit for Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, among others.
At present, the country’s mass rail system include the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1, LRT Line 2, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Commuter Railways.

http://www.usnewslasvegas.com/business/dotc-eyes-chinese-grant-for-ph-national-railway-master-plan/

Linguine

December 4th, 2010, 02:42 AM

Proposed traffic and transport plan drafted

A joint summit resolution was signed by the concerned heads of different government agencies in the Metro Manila Transport and Traffic Entry Summit held on Friday, signifying their commitment to fully support the crafting of the Metro Manila Traffic and Transport Action Plan.

Those present who signed the resolution are Secretary Enrique T. Ona of the Department of Health, Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje of the Department of Environment and National Resources, Rogelio L. Singson of the Department of Public Works and highways, Jose P. De Jesus of the Department of Transportation and Communication, and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis N. Tolentino.

The proposed Traffic and Transport Action Plan, a list of projects and managing documents that are the result of both previous talks on the traffic situation between concerned groups prior to the summit as well as inputs from presentations during the summit itself, was handed over by Mr. Tolentino to Congressman Roger G. Mercado of the House committee on transportation and Congressman Tobias M. Tiangco of the House committee on Metro Manila Development.

Mr. Tolentino said in the summit that this one, dubbed an "entry" summit, was first of several to complete the proposed traffic and transport plan.

"[After submitting to Congress], we will still hold consultations in order to get inputs [from the various stakeholders and agencies] concerned," he said in response to questions on the finality of the proposed plan.

Two more summits, including workshops, will be held next year to complete the plan.

For his part, Mr. Tolentino gave several proposals to improve the traffic situation in Metro Manila. These include criminalizing and prescribing stiffer sanctions for "colorum" vehicles, reckless driving, and speed limit violators, among others.

He also proposed several infrastructure projects, like the construction of an elevated road structure along C5, improving and widening alternate routes, and establishing motorcycle lanes along thoroughfares.

"CHRISTMAS LANES"

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has opened alternate routes to be used during the Christmas season, where congestion along major thoroughfares is expected.

MMDA Chairman Francis N. Tolentino said in a statement that if these alternate routes, dubbed "Christmas Lanes", are successful, they will still be utilized even after the Christmas Season and be eventually renamed as "Mabuhay Lanes."

"Our objective is for private motorists to bypass Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA), thus, reducing traffic volume along ," he said in the statement.

The lanes start at both north and south entry points of EDSA. For northbound motorists going south, they may use McArthur Highway, right turn to Samson Road, C-4/Letre, R-10, A. Bonifacio, Roxas Boulevard to destination.

For motorists coming from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), they can exit at various points, most importantly at the newly constructed Mindanao Avenue access ramp.

From south to north, the Christmas lanes start at Coastal Road and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

Mr. Tolentino added that these alternate routes, which are the ones used during the construction of the EDSA Metro Rail Transit (MRT) in the late 90’s, are not being fully utilized, resulting to further congestion.

He adds that he has also directed the concerned units of the agency to put up directional signs along the alternate routes to guide motorists.

"For their own convenience, we are asking the public to use these alternate routes. We will clear these routes of obstructions and detail traffic enforces to assist them," he said.
|

[I]http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=22313

superpilyoako

December 4th, 2010, 07:18 AM

^^nabanggit din kahapon ng spokesperson ng MMDA during her interview in ANC na they've teamed up with DPWH and another govt para tapusin ang Circulo del Mundo ng NAIA

Linguine

December 4th, 2010, 11:02 AM

Ayala Land plans to develop bus rapid system along Ayala Avenue
Saturday, 04 December 2010 17:19 Rizal Raoul Reyes / Correspondent

RATIONALIZING vehicular traffic along the Ayala business district is a top agenda of property heavyweight Ayala Land Inc. (ALI).

In a recent briefing with the media, ALI vice president for strategic landbank management group Anna Bautista-Dy said the firm will develop a bus rapid transit (BRT) system starting this year as part of enhancing the mobility of people going into the country’s premier business district. It is expected to be finished in 2012.

She said ALI chose the BRT system over other systems because it provides the lowest cost of operations. “Based on international standards, it will cost $2.5 million per kilometer to build a BRT system,” she said.

For their BRT project, ALI will build the system from the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Epifanio del los Santos Avenue up to Ayala Avenue-Gil Puyat Avenue totaling 4 kilometers.

It has the least cost of the transport system if compared to a rail-based system which is 10 times higher, according to Bautista-Dy.

The BRT system of Curitiba, Brazil is regarded as one of the most successful models in the world. According to www.urbanhabitat.org, “the buses run frequently—some as often as every 90 seconds—and reliably, and the stations are convenient, well-designed, comfortable and attractive.”

The web site added the BRT system in Curitiba “has one of the most heavily used, yet low-cost, transit systems in the world.” It has been described as a system with a lot of the features of a subway system. The difference is that the BRT is above ground.

Bautista-Dy said ALI is also upgrading its traffic system to make pedestrians more comfortable in walking around the area by introducing a newer system where people can operate them. Traffic sensors are synchronized and in certain areas, people can push the traffic buttons, she said.

“What we’re trying to do in the Ayala Center is to connect the people through a special eye for the pedestrians to ensure that if you live there it’s actually easy to move around,” she said.

ALI, along with the Makati Commercial Estate Association (Macea), will invest $8 million to $10 million for the new system which is believed to have the speed and efficiency of a railway system with a minimal cost for operation

“We always view them [Makati CBD and Bonifacio Global City] to be complementary with each other,” said ALI president Antonino Aquino in a briefing.

“As a consequence, we expect to grow together significantly to become an overall business capital of the country,” he added.

The development of the BRT is part of the P20-billion redevelopment plan set to be completed in 2012. Later, the BRT system is envisioned to connect the Makati central business district (CBD) and the Bonifacio Global City, according to Aquino.

He said ALI will also expand pedestrian areas in the Makati CBD to encourage residents and visitors to explore the areas, thus decreasing traffic congestion.

According Aquino, ALI will allocate the P20-billion investment on an equal footing for the residential and leasing component based from Ayala Center’s redevelopment.

Park Terraces, a high-end residential project of Ayala Land Premier, will have a prominent role in the redevelopment with the construction of its second tower.

“Park Terraces represents ALI and that will really be considered as the largest element of residential high-risers in the Ayala area,” Aquino said.

Moreover, the ongoing redevelopment will include the Palm Promenade, which will have outdoor cafes and walkways linking Glorietta complex to Pasay Road, and Terraces Square, which will be situated between Park Terraces and Park Square.

The opening of Holiday Inn and Raffles Hotel, which will rise at the top of Glorietta 1 and 2, will add 700 new hotel rooms, bringing the total number of hotel rooms in Makati to 3,000.

ALI recently reported buoyed bottomline reached P3.94 billion in the first 9 months of 2010, a 35-percent growth from the same period last year.

“It was another good quarter and we experienced strong growth across all our major business lines,” said Ayala Land senior vice president and chief finance officer Jaime E. Ysmael in a media statement.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/properties/4511-ayala-land-plans-to-develop-bus-rapid-system-along-ayala-avenue

NTprime

December 4th, 2010, 05:32 PM

^^This one I gotta see how they plan to implement...

But I am in favor of the BRT if it will reduce traffic caused by the rowdy buses. Although I am more in favor of a monorail for the Makati CBD.

boypad

December 6th, 2010, 09:51 PM

MMDA budget cut could make traffic jams, flooding worse - Tiangco :ohno:

By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star)
Updated December 07, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco warned yesterday Metro Manila may find it harder to cope with floods and traffic after Congress failed to restore the huge cuts in the proposed budget of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) made by Malacañang.

Tiangco, chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said the MMDA can hardly be expected to fulfill its functions if it does not have the proper funding.

The proposed 2011 budget of the MMDA had been reduced by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad by more than half from the P2.076 billion in 2010 to a mere P981 million for 2011. This has not been restored during the budget hearings in the House despite Tiangco’s manifestation.

He said the MMDA has already stated on record that they have full responsibility over the flood control program for Metro Manila, as well as the traffic management and garbage disposal.

“And as a sign of their good faith the MMDA have been carrying out their work despite the fact that release of the amount of P730 million for their 2010 budget is delayed by three months,” Tiangco said.

Tiangco appealed for the release of the cash allocation of the MMDA for 2010 as soon as possible. MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino earlier wrote Cavite Rep. Emilio Abaya, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, last Nov. 2 on the matter.

NTprime

December 7th, 2010, 02:56 AM

Bosnyboy

December 7th, 2010, 08:19 AM

Bosnyboy

December 7th, 2010, 08:21 AM

Great budget cuts again. During the president innaugural speech, he mentioned priority is given to education, justice and tourism. His first order was cut education budget, cut justice department's budget, cut tourism's already miniscule budget now cut mmda's budget so that the entire metro will look even more haggard. Great job.

Askal82

December 8th, 2010, 01:30 AM

You can't blame the cars completely simply because of their numbers. For one, public transport is still unreliable for those who live very far away. Second, the MRT is still crowded so they should implement the increases right away so they can recoup some of the losses and discourage the price-sensitive MRT riders to take the buses instead. Third, cars don't have large parking areas near MRT stations, so that's a hassle and a risk. Fourth, cars are only allowed to occupy four out of six lanes in EDSA. The problem comes when buses go beyond their two rightmost lanes and spill into the cars' lanes.

Why not try a CBD limited access approach where people have to pay to enter, like in Singapore? That will surely discourage car owners from bringing their cars to the CBD everyday, which will encourage them to carpool.

or, make parking fees very expensive.

greenshields

December 8th, 2010, 01:44 AM

Why does it seems that mmda is just focusing on EDSA alone. Almost all news report of mmda's work are concentrated on that God forsaken road. Metro manila is not just edsa. Maybe pnoy can create an agency that handles edsa alone. The way i see it simple lang ang solution sa edsa. ENFORCE ALL EXISTING TRAFFIC RULES STRICTLY at gagaan ang traffic.

In one of the pre-summit meetings, the facilitators from the UA&P specifically mentioned this recommendation (i.e., enforce all existing...) as a motherhood statement. I think the reality is that we are trying to find complex or novel ways to solve our traffic problems when we should go back to the basics and exert more effort in enforcing rules and regulations. The effort should include trying to regain integrity for enforcers who are perceived to be corrupt and not worthy of following.

bitoy

December 8th, 2010, 01:59 AM

or, make parking fees very expensive.

:lol: or bring your own parking spot or parking attendant. :D

uderodriguezjr

December 9th, 2010, 07:02 AM

I think that would be a good idea, the TransJakarta type bus system would serve as a feeder for the MRT and also the those areas not directly served by the MRT stations.

It would take massive political will though, all those bus operators must combine into one cooperative so that implementation would be easier. In the meantime, they could implement installing those low level cement barriers so that buses won't be able to weave in and out. It would be easier to implement this than to try to change the bus driver's mindset about weaving in and out of traffic.

Kaka-feature lang sa National Geographic Channel -> Megacities: Jakarta

Their gov't is planning it big. Very efficient ang TransJakarta Bus System at balak nilang i-integrate ito sa electified railways nila, magtayo ng flood control infra, 7 elevated and 14 undergraound MRTs. Mejo inspiring yung palabas, somehow I am hoping to hear this kind of news for Metro Manila. :banana:

Christian_123

December 9th, 2010, 07:47 AM

Bosnyboy

December 9th, 2010, 08:18 AM

or, make parking fees very expensive.

Why punish the public for the inefficiencies of the govt. Dont they have planning division that had foresee the amount of traffic the city will have in so and so years. City needs more roads, EFFICIENT public transport. Busses and jeepneys are soooo last millennium. Jeepneys arent even exotic enough for tourist to ride in like say for example the tuktuks of bangkok or the rickshaw of HK's yesteryears.

We are punished enough. We pay road taxes, drivers license fees, car registration fees, compulsary insurance, smoke belching, taxes from gasoline, taxes from spare parts and what do we get? Chaotic and really bad roads, undisciplined non-registered vehicles like the pedcabs and kuliglig, undisciplined pedestrians, the bundol gang, the sidemiror thieves, the festering kids who ask for alms and at the same time use ur sidemirror to fix their dirty faces, the arrogant politicans and policemen who bulldoze their way on the road, the traffic cops who are more interested in the commission they will get for every vehicle they flag down whether the violation is real or otherwise.

Kintoy

December 9th, 2010, 08:44 AM

sino ba umubos nung road users tax?

NTprime

December 10th, 2010, 06:31 AM

Let's hope they do this in earnest and not just for show, or to become ningas cogon later on...

I wish the MMDA would also have a tipster section and give a "commission" for those who report violators. I'm sure more people will become richer by a few hundred or even thousand pesos that way:lol:

MMDA to strictly enforce 'no helmet, no travel' policy (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=637713&publicationSubCategoryId=65)
(The Philippine Star) Updated December 10, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (5)

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said it will be seriously enforcing the “no helmet, no travel” policy for motorcycle drivers and passengers on the streets and roads of Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the move is part of the agency’s series of measures promoting road safety. Tolentino also called on the various local government units to assist the MMDA in this endeavor. “I’m appealing to the local government units to likewise be strict on this matter and introduce other measures that will promote the safety of the riders,” Tolentino said.

According to Tolentino, motorcycle riders who will be caught without the required crash helmets will be flagged down by MMDA traffic enforcers and will be issued traffic violation receipts that carry corresponding fines.

Tolentino said that at present, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order number AHS-2008-015 prescribes rules and regulations on the use and operation of motorcycles on highways. One such rule, he said, is the wearing of proper crash helmets for both passengers and drivers of motorcycles.

Tolentino, however, laments that there is laxity in its implementation, especially by the traffic enforcement groups of the various LGUs.

Tolentino said that under the LTO policy, failure of the driver or the passenger or back rider to wear the standard helmet would mean payment of a P1,500 fine. The policy also requires motorcycle drivers to wear shoes while driving. Drivers caught wearing sandals or slippers or driving bare-footed will be fined from P500 to P1,000 and have their licenses to drive revoked on the third offense.

According to the MMDA, there were 9,339 road accidents reported in Metro Manila from January to August this year. Many of these accidents involved motorcycles, it said. - Mike Frialde

johnmizer

December 10th, 2010, 09:33 AM

^walang binatbat itong taong ito kay bf... kahit na pink ang kulay na bf... may nagawa agad na BAGOng ideas...

b_two

December 10th, 2010, 10:16 AM

kumusta na ang anti-littering campaign ng mmda? malinis na ba ang metro?

Christian_123

December 10th, 2010, 02:09 PM

^^ Mas lalong dumumi ang metro :banana:

Askal82

December 10th, 2010, 05:12 PM

Why punish the public for the inefficiencies of the govt. Dont they have planning division that had foresee the amount of traffic the city will have in so and so years. City needs more roads, EFFICIENT public transport. Busses and jeepneys are soooo last millennium. Jeepneys arent even exotic enough for tourist to ride in like say for example the tuktuks of bangkok or the rickshaw of HK's yesteryears.

We are punished enough. We pay road taxes, drivers license fees, car registration fees, compulsary insurance, smoke belching, taxes from gasoline, taxes from spare parts and what do we get? Chaotic and really bad roads, undisciplined non-registered vehicles like the pedcabs and kuliglig, undisciplined pedestrians, the bundol gang, the sidemiror thieves, the festering kids who ask for alms and at the same time use ur sidemirror to fix their dirty faces, the arrogant politicans and policemen who bulldoze their way on the road, the traffic cops who are more interested in the commission they will get for every vehicle they flag down whether the violation is real or otherwise.

Exactly, it should discourage people from parking their cars on the CBD's that only creates traffic.

Bosnyboy

December 11th, 2010, 05:00 AM

Exactly, it should discourage people from parking their cars on the CBD's that only creates traffic.

Ha? So deprive the public from using their cars which they worked so hard to acquire because the public transpo system sux no thanks to the govt? And even if we park our cars at home we still pay for taxes like the road users tax and registration fees.

Askal82

December 11th, 2010, 05:46 AM

Ha? So deprive the public from using their cars which they worked so hard to acquire because the public transpo system sux no thanks to the govt? And even if we park our cars at home we still pay for taxes like the road users tax and registration fees.

I'm not saying deprive the public of using cars - only restrict them in areas where it is more likely to cause traffic. Well, it's been done in the cities around the world where the CBD's are and it works or allow free parking in areas at a certain time of the day (usually at night), when it is expected that the road will be less busier. The objective is to make the traffic flow as efficient as possible.

For a city like Metro Manila with many narrow roads and fewer highways, what needs to be done is emphasis on public transportation. There is plenty of room for improvement in those areas.

NTprime

December 11th, 2010, 01:39 PM

I'm not saying deprive the public of using cars - only restrict them in areas where it is more likely to cause traffic. Well, it's been done in the cities around the world where the CBD's are and it works or allow free parking in areas at a certain time of the day (usually at night), when it is expected that the road will be less busier. The objective is to make the traffic flow as efficient as possible.

For a city like Metro Manila with many narrow roads and fewer highways, what needs to be done is emphasis on public transportation. There is plenty of room for improvement in those areas.

Correct, I agree with you especially on the last paragraph. Metro Manila can't build enough roads to keep up with the pace of new vehicles, including motorcycles, so the best way to reduce traffic is to encourage those who bring their cars (and have less than 2 passengers riding in these) is to improve the mass transport system. I'm not sure what percentage of car owners/drivers drive by themselves to work or on errands during weekdays, but they should try to carpool as much in order to minimize the vehicles on the road. It's more fun as well, at least you have someone to talk to in the vehicle even if you get stuck in traffic.

Askal82

December 11th, 2010, 06:03 PM

^^ i just realized that Metro Manila and other major cities in the Philippines share the same characteristics of any global cities - less roads and more public transit (although informal). Let's begin with improving our public transportation.

michael677

December 12th, 2010, 03:39 PM

Correct, I agree with you especially on the last paragraph. Metro Manila can't build enough roads to keep up with the pace of new vehicles, including motorcycles, so the best way to reduce traffic is to encourage those who bring their cars (and have less than 2 passengers riding in these) is to improve the mass transport system. I'm not sure what percentage of car owners/drivers drive by themselves to work or on errands during weekdays, but they should try to carpool as much in order to minimize the vehicles on the road. It's more fun as well, at least you have someone to talk to in the vehicle even if you get stuck in traffic.

if and only if the mass transit system will be all like LRT 2, and you have at least 10 lines operating will there be significant increase in private motorists opting to use MRT

also, the govt should raise fares already so that the jologs commuters will be forced to use the bus or other means instead

Bosnyboy

December 15th, 2010, 06:24 AM

if and only if the mass transit system will be all like LRT 2, and you have at least 10 lines operating will there be significant increase in private motorists opting to use MRT

also, the govt should raise fares already so that the jologs commuters will be forced to use the bus or other means instead

If metro manila or any urban philippine city has an efficient, safe and reliable public transpo, people will naturally leave their cars in their garage. But before that happens govt must give emphasis on public transportation system. How many times have we heard of people leaving theirs cars at home and tried to use the train goin to work and then end up really dissappointed and disgusted so the next day they go back to using their cars even with the high price of gasoline and parking fees.

In the meantime put the tax money to work by clearing the streets of all obstructions. Pave the roads properly. Bumpy roads makes for heavier traffic. Abolish the commission system being implemented on buses and jeeps instead give the drivers and conductors a fix monthly wage. Definitely not only will traffic lighten, road safety will improve tremendously. Enact a bill to punish severely drunk drivers and drivers who dont use proper safety gears. Increase the penalties for driving violations. Make the owning a drivers license as precious as gold. Also penalize traffic enforcers caught sleeping on the job and taking bribes. Enforce strictly the no jaywalking as well as the no loading and unloading rule. All vehicles who are not suppose to be on the road be impounded with no chance of redemption. These are the things that can be done right now with minimal cost to the govt. Most of the laws are already in place. All the govt people have to do is DO THEIR JOB.

Until then people cant be stop from using their hard earned private vehicles no matter how high the parking fees are. As it is very high gasoline prices and high parking fees these days are enough discouragement already but still people have no choice. (just to give an example, a person who lives in QC and works in makati spends close to 1500 -2500 pesos a week on gas, 120 pesos on parking daily, compute that and you will see how very little is left of the monthly salary)

NTprime

December 15th, 2010, 06:38 AM

If metro manila or any urban philippine city has an efficient, safe and reliable public transpo, people will naturally leave their cars in their garage. But before that happens govt must give emphasis on public transportation system. How many times have we heard of people leaving theirs cars at home and tried to use the train goin to work and then end up really dissappointed and disgusted so the next day they go back to using their cars even with the high price of gasoline and parking fees.
Hahaha, how true. Not only that, they probably will also lose a lot of travel time waiting for a feeder bus or jeepney to the MRT station, lining up for a ticket, walking to and from parking, etc. which negates the time advantage of taking the train.

In the meantime put the tax money to work by clearing the streets of all obstructions. Pave the roads properly. Bumpy roads makes for heavier traffic. Abolish the commission system being implemented on buses and jeeps instead give the drivers and conductors a fix monthly wage. Definitely not only will traffic lighten, road safety will improve tremendously. Enact a bill to punish severely drunk drivers and drivers who dont use proper safety gears. Increase the penalties for driving violations. Make the owning a drivers license as precious as gold. Also penalize traffic enforcers caught sleeping on the job and taking bribes. Enforce strictly the no jaywalking as well as the no loading and unloading rule. All vehicles who are not suppose to be on the road be impounded with no chance of redemption. These are the things that can be done right now with minimal cost to the govt. Most of the laws are already in place. All the govt people have to do is DO THEIR JOB.

While I know you've said this many times in the past in SSC, I don't mind you continuing the battlecry for good governance and implementation with the various agencies tasked to improve road and travel conditions.

Until then people cant be stop from using their hard earned private vehicles no matter how high the parking fees are. As it is very high gasoline prices and high parking fees these days are enough to discouragement already but still people have no choice. (just to give an example, a person who lives in QC and works in makati spends close to 1500 -2500 pesos a week on gas, 120 pesos on parking daily, compute that and you will see how very little is left of the monthly salary)

By your computations, bringing a car would set back its owner by about P8,000-12,000 monthly. The higher figure is already the cost of monthly amortization for an entry level car! So the total cost of ownership is like purchasing 2 cars!:nuts:

One solution: CARPOOL! It's cheaper, fun, and takes the hassle out of driving every day that you're not the driver! Plus you get to talk with friends or neighbors (hopefully you all like each other) instead of having to bear traffic by one's self!:lol:

Bosnyboy

December 15th, 2010, 06:44 AM

I got friends who were forced to take out car loans just to be able to get to the office faster. Most of them have to wake up really early then take a tricycle, then a jeep, sometimes even a bus then the mrt then a jeep again before reaching the office. After goin through that one would look like and smell like a battle hardened soldier who just came back from a warzone in afghanistan. Sira na ren ang disposition, one becomes irritated. So imagine youself wearing a formal office attire, smelling of expensive perfumes and then reaching the office looking like a vagrant. And then imagine doing that everyday through the sticky, humid summers and the typhoon and flood infested rainy season. And I am only talking about the trip to the office and what about the return trip? Since its late already you can also add the chance that your bus or jeep gets held up by criminals or you get stab while walking to the jeepney station. Now those are enough reasons why people drive their own cars.

I live in an area where foreign students, koreans, chinese, iranians, indians, western people live. They all take the taxi everyday and pay whatever the taxi driver ask of them because they have no choice. I asked some of them and they said they dont feel comfortable riding the jeepneys, crowded and hot. The trains are as well plus many pickpockets. The koreans said they miss the efficient subways of seoul which they hope manila can have also.

Bosnyboy

December 15th, 2010, 06:46 AM

Hahaha, how true. Not only that, they probably will also lose a lot of travel time waiting for a feeder bus or jeepney to the MRT station, lining up for a ticket, walking to and from parking, etc. which negates the time advantage of taking the train.

While I know you've said this many times in the past in SSC, I don't mind you continuing the battlecry for good governance and implementation with the various agencies tasked to improve road and travel conditions.

By your computations, bringing a car would set back its owner by about P8,000-12,000 monthly. The higher figure is already the cost of monthly amortization for an entry level car! So the total cost of ownership is like purchasing 2 cars!:nuts:

One solution: CARPOOL! It's cheaper, fun, and takes the hassle out of driving every day that you're not the driver! Plus you get to talk with friends or neighbors (hopefully you all like each other) instead of having to bear traffic by one's self!:lol:

Carpools are very good idea but what is the chance of one in having people living near your place? Plus what about after work when the designated driver has some emergency thing to do and cant drive the group home? Thing is we must not give an excuse for govt to goof off on their job because that is what we are paying them for.

Bosnyboy

December 15th, 2010, 06:51 AM

NTprime

December 15th, 2010, 06:56 AM

Carpools are very good idea but what is the chance of one in having people living near your place? Plus what about after work when the designated driver has some emergency thing to do and cant drive the group home? Thing is we must not give an excuse for govt to goof off on their job because that is what we are paying them for.

Well, it depends on how well you know your neighbors. Unless you live in a fortress, I am sure there are people of similar background as you (drive/commute to work/school, etc.) who share a lot of common interests, one of which is hate of delays caused by traffic. The carpool doesn't have to go all the way to the exact place of work, maybe you can alternate taking turns picking up each other from the house, and then meet later on at a designated area on the way back home. If taking turns driving doesn't work, then you can just contribute to the gas money of the person who brings his/her vehicle most often (exception is during coding day). Technically these folks are using their vehicles about 4 times per week during working days, since the last day is coding day (unless they are willing to wake up as early as 5AM just to beat traffic before 7AM).

And with emergencies, they are emergencies, I'm sure the carpool mates will understand. If they are not real emergencies people can always go back to driving their vehicles for that particular day one anticipates he/she will not be able to be the "designated driver".

As for the gov't making all the excuses for goofing up, I totally agree with you on that.

NTprime

December 15th, 2010, 06:58 AM

Just yesterday, i saw a police marked vehicle, an L300 van parked in a mall in ortigas. A policeman alighted together with an adult female presumably his wife and two children. I guess its safe to assume theyer going shopping. I know this is OT but the scene was just disgusting. Knowing a lot of employees has to undergo severe hardship taking the piblic transpo and taxes automatically deducted from their monthly salary and then we see govt people enjoying. Just not right. I would have puncture the tires of the van just to get even but its govt property.

Isn't there a page on Facebook to report things like these? Like the no to wang-wang page? The best way to deal with hard headed gov't officials like this is to shame them out of whatever decency they have left in the first place:lol: Meaning, take photos of them and send directly to MMDA or police management.

Bosnyboy

December 15th, 2010, 07:05 AM

Will follow your advice.

Yzdro

December 16th, 2010, 08:43 AM

Part 1 Busses

It is a fact that due to financial constraints the government cannot meet the requirement of supplying new roads or improving existing thoroughfares as fast as the public needs them.

A short to medium term solution is to streamline the existing public transportation routes and maximize the deployment of public utility transportation. If successful private vehicle owners will see the wisdom of using an efficient and less expensive transport alternative, to driving space consuming vehicles.

Make the existing indigenous public transportation complimentary, legislate if necessary ask our congressmen to sponsor the needed legislation.

Create legislation to breakdown the function of the LTFRB to smaller regional councils, so they can be more focused and sensitive to local needs. Involve the academe and professionals in making transportation studies. Empower the LGU’s to commission study grants for long term transportation solutions.

BUSSES
With the present condition there is a need to prioritize EDSA, make this a showcase, Make the Busses compliment the mass transports (MRT, LRT, Metro train, Water Ferry). Prioritize EDSA-Monumento to MOA;
a. Repair and resurface EDSA., correct grade alignments, remove all temporary structures, such as U turn slots, temporary barricades, terminals, etc.
b. Create only one bus company/consortium to ply the route..
c. Make the busses ply only one loop. Abolish all other routes and transfer them to sub-routes, using EDSA as the East–West major boundary to delineate other bus routes. An example, busses from Montalban-Sn Mateo- Marikina stops at Cubao and vice-versa on the East side of EDSA, and Cubao –Sta. Mesa- Quapo bus on the West side of EDSA. Other east –west similar routes can be developed.
d. Creating only one loop will remove the funnel effect for all public busses from different point of origin converging and diverging along EDSA staring from Mantrade to Balintawak, crowding all bus stops, and expropriating other vehicle lanes.
e. All major EDSA and radial road intersection will be transfer points for LRT and EDSA bus only.
f. Provincial busses from the north should load- unload somewhere after the NLEX, connected to EDSA by LRT or EDSA bus.
g. Provincial busses from the South should load -unload somewhere in Osmena Highway, connected to EDSA by LRT or EDSA bus
h. All EDSA busses will be radio controlled and monitored from central dispatch control. Dispatchers can see the bus traveling at real-time and can regulate their speed when necessary.
i. Create only one dedicated bus lane, with allowable but limited use for right turning vehicles on side streets only. Prevent merging to EDSA by limiting the exit roads. Strictly no Parking zone.
j. The bus frequency of arrival at the stops will be shorter during peak hours, say every 5 minutes and longer during off peaks say 10 minutes and even longer after 12 AM, say 15-20 minutes, A simple traffic count can establish this intervals.
k. Design new busses to be able to use tandem coach during rush hour, and single coach car during off peaks, this will result to fuel savings since there will be less engine load when not required.
l. The drivers are to be regular monthly paid enjoying all benefits, working in 8 hour shifts, to avoid driver fatigue.
m. Only one dedicated lane is needed since busses travel on queue. This will free up other lanes for other use.
n. Bus stops will have signal lights for flow control, and if possible CCTV cameras.
o. Ticketing will still be manual, so as not to displace the job of conductors and inspectors. This will be simpler since fixed zone boundaries are easier to identify, simple color coding of tickets will be useful.
p. A move to smart card option for ticketing will be an option in the future if the need arises, and the infrastructure is in place.
q. Give more incentive to the use of cleaner fuel as substitute fuel.

Upgrade the design of metro busses to one’s like LRT coaches with lower floors, wider aisles, and allow for easier access for children, disabled and the seniors. Present city busses are for designed for long haul.

A similar concept should be also implemented on C-5 while there is time and space to create bus lanes and bus stops. (Possible Tandang Sora –C5- to SLEX v.v.)

Create bus routes on all Radial roads and circumferential roads. All radial roads should be dedicated bus routes.
Other possible example of bus routes are;
1. Baclaran-Taft to Quiapo
2. Quiapo to EDSA –A Bonifacio
3. Lawton Sta Cruz –Avenida to C3
4. Novaliches-Quirino to EDSA monumento
5. Lagro to EDSA -SM
6. Alabang to Quirino Paco
7. Montalban -Marikina to Cubao
8. Cubao to Quiapo
9. Taytay -Ortigas to San Juan-Sta Mesa
10. Pasig to Sta Mesa
11. Fort Bonifacio –Ayala- Taft
12. Buendia- Taft-Roxas Blvd
13. Pateros-makati- Taft-Roxas Blvd
14. San Lazaro-Quirino-Roxas Blvd.
15. City Hall-Quezon Blvd
16. Quezon Blvd. to Novaliches

Create Bus Hubs where busses and Jeepneys from outlying towns can converge to pick-up and unload passengers to and from the Metro.
Example;
a. Taytay –Tikling can be a hub from busses or jeepney from Tanay via Teresa or Via Binangonan. This will free up Ortigas from Jeepneys.
b. Alabang can be a hub from San Pedro, Muntinglupa
c. Marikina can be hub for Montalban and Cogeo
d. Valenzuela can be a hub for nearby Bulacan towns

NTprime

December 16th, 2010, 03:13 PM

^^Nice suggestions. Add also the use of the numbering system instead of the route naming system, it should make riding buses easier for non-residents and tourists.

Include the phase out of jeepneys and kuligligs. Make sidewalks more pedestrian friendly, so people will walk and avoid complications from lack of exercise resulting in obesity and other related issues. Cover the sidewalks or better yet, make elevated walkpaths similar to the one coming from Greenbelt all the way along dela Rosa St. to Makati Med.

But then, I noticed you just tackled the buses (part 1). Surely an integrated system that involves the phaseout of polluting jeepneys and kuligligs was part of whatever study you made to bring up those issues you raised above.

Letter "H" - buses along EDSA to be radio controlled?

boypad

December 17th, 2010, 01:57 AM

Metro mayors' council hikes fines for vehicles stalled along EDSA :ohno:

By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star)
Updated December 17, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Council (MMC), the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has passed a resolution increasing the penalty for vehicles stalled along EDSA and major Metro roads from the current P200 to as much as P3,000.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said vehicles stalled along EDSA and those illegally parked along major roads contribute to traffic congestion, especially during the holiday rush.

“These vehicles get stalled in the roads because most probably, their engines are not properly maintained. We are only hoping that (with the increase in fines) motorists, including private utility vehicle (PUV) operators, would be more responsible in maintaining the roadworthiness of their motor vehicles,” Tolentino said.

Under the previous MMDA Regulation 96-003, PUV operators or owners of private vehicles are fined P200 if their vehicles stall on major roads. For illegally parked vehicles, owners are charged with obstruction, which entails a fine of P150.

During a meeting at the Muntinlupa city hall last Tuesday, the MMC – comprising Metro Manila’s 17 mayors – agreed to increase the P200 fine to P1,500 for light vehicles; P2,500 for medium-sized and P3,000 for heavy vehicles such as trucks and lorries.

Tolentino said the increased fines will be added to the regular towing fees imposed on the owner of the stalled vehicle. For trucks with gross capacity weight of 4,000 kilos and above, the corresponding towing fee is P1,200 for the first four kilometers and P200 for every succeeding kilometer.

Cars, jeeps, and pick-up vans having less than 4,000-kilo gross weight are charged a P800 towing fee for the first four kilometers and P200 for every succeeding kilometer.

“The fines and towing fees shall be paid within three days from the date of the apprehension and towing, otherwise a daily impounding fee will be imposed on the owner of the towed vehicle,” Tolentino said.

According to the MMDA, the owner of a towed vehicle that remains unclaimed at the MMDA impounding area will be charged P40 per day. On the fourth month, owners of unclaimed towed vehicles will be charged P60 per day. On the fifth month , owners of unclaimed towed vehicles will be charged P80 per day by the MMDA.

edly

December 17th, 2010, 02:31 AM

^walang binatbat itong taong ito kay bf... kahit na pink ang kulay na bf... may nagawa agad na BAGOng ideas...

Pwedeng ire-consider ni PNoy ang pagbalik kay BF sa MMDA. Tutal malapit na matapos ang 1 year ban sa mga political appointments na naging candidato nung eleksyon. Nakikita ko naman walang dapat ikatakot si PNoy kung si BF ang kasama nya sa admin nya dahil trabaho lang talaga ng trabaho ang tao sa MMDA.

knight225

December 17th, 2010, 03:16 AM

its a brilliant idea, i will support all of it if you became the man behind this..

this is TRUE..

Metro Manila is a BIG city, and a pathetic EDSA bus routes is hillarious.. we need to increase our mass transit connections and "MODERNIZE our jeepneys"

* Jeepney Stops every 1Km like here in London.. people are OBLIGED to WALK!! designated stops.. the driver should be responsible and the commuters as well..

* Mass Transit Interconnections to CBDs

hard to explain but its like this:

==================== MRT LINE to TAFT (passengers going to south will board)

after 1min..... passengers will see the Train approaching with a sign Via Ayala

------------------------- MRT LINE to AYALA

which means.. its either the BUENDIA or AYALA station there will be a interconnection to a designated station in the CBD

Buendia will be good spot.. next station would be MAKATI AVE then PASONG TAMO then TAFT.. -- imagine if you will..

vice versa: so in the LRT line the station for BUENDIA will also have a commuters connection to MRT

same here in London.. where small roads are built.. but PUBLIC transportation was and always been given the priority!

edly

December 17th, 2010, 04:11 AM

http://www.mmda.gov.ph/news.html#dec14b2010

MMDA to Lead Inaugural of "Layag Islas"

Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will lead the inaugural of the "Layag Islas" structure at the Circulo Del Mundo Rotunda fronting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

The event, which will start at 5:30 in the afternoon, will be graced by Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto along with other local government officials, and various stakeholders.

"Layag Islas" (Islands in Flight), is the award-winning concept for the Circulo Del Mundo Rotunda Nationwide Design Competition held on 2008. It is a joint undertaking of the MMDA and the Manila International Airport Authority to showcase Metro Manila as the window of the country to the world.

"I hope the public will appreciate the beauty of this structure as it is a proof of the Filipino's artistic excellence," Tolentino said.

The construction of the structure started on September 11, 2009 and was completed on August this year. It summarizes the Filipino's rich cultural heritage and profound sense of affinity with the global community.

Designed by Adrian Lorenzo Alfonso, Alfredo Alfonso, Maria Mynn Alfonso, Carlo Tibajua, and Chris Jimenez, "Layag Islas" is conceived to be the embodiment of the Filipino's dreams and aspirations.

The MMDA chief said he is optimistic that this architectural landmark will further encourage artists to create world-class works of arts.

The structure is considered as one of the vital components of the physical improvement projects of the agency within the immediate vicinity of the NAIA to enhance the image of the airport complex to be at par with other similar facilities worldwide.

NTprime

December 17th, 2010, 05:36 AM

aranetacoliseum

December 17th, 2010, 07:42 AM

absinthe_888

December 17th, 2010, 08:00 AM

^^ So yan na pala yun? :D

dvbaicrviser

December 17th, 2010, 11:42 AM

Nagsayang lang ng pera ng bayan.

filcan

December 17th, 2010, 05:06 PM

What did we expect?..MMDA projects always look crap..

b_two

December 17th, 2010, 05:13 PM

yan ang example ng maganda sa render at scale model pero di kagandahan pag nagawa na. anyway, sa wakas natapos din.:):cheers:

neil02

December 17th, 2010, 06:47 PM

sakop ba ng MMDA ang Urban Planning? Sana magkaroon ng Metro Manila Urban Planning and Development Authority.

mwg12a

December 18th, 2010, 12:34 AM

man, they definitely just wasted the public fund on that, I do agree. They could of just built a tall monument or sculpture and spend more on landscaping with water fountain, just like a park where people can enjoy strolling around in. Even that scale model they presented don't seems to have an appeal. It would of been better if they used aluminum/chrome or any shinny metal that would make it look very futuristic. Oh well, it's there already, money is wasted.

Sky Harbor

December 18th, 2010, 01:50 AM

^^ There's a reason why a tall monument or sculpture is being saved for the other rotonda (the smaller Maligayang Pagdating Rotonda). A heavy structure on the Circulo del Mundo Rotonda would collapse because the area below the center of the rotonda actually has a reservoir (I think a sewage reservoir, but I can't be sure) underneath.

I like the concept, but the execution is subpar. :ohno:

sakop ba ng MMDA ang Urban Planning? Sana magkaroon ng Metro Manila Urban Planning and Development Authority.

Individual LGUs are responsible for their own urban planning. Hence why you notice that urban planning in Metro Manila is uneven.

mwg12a

December 18th, 2010, 05:40 AM

Well yeah, I can understand that but, man, I guess I just didn't find these piece a work of art and unappealing. Maybe the lighting at night might add some appeal but what about during day time?

NTprime

December 18th, 2010, 03:46 PM

^^ There's a reason why a tall monument or sculpture is being saved for the other rotonda (the smaller Maligayang Pagdating Rotonda). A heavy structure on the Circulo del Mundo Rotonda would collapse because the area below the center of the rotonda actually has a reservoir (I think a sewage reservoir, but I can't be sure) underneath.

I like the concept, but the execution is subpar. :ohno:

If it is a small sewage reservoir, then they can just buttress the foundation and put the flyover directly leading to the terminal instead.

That area is a choke point! I wonder why they haven't even widened the road at the Circulo del Mundo rotonda? So that the motorists who slow down can gawk at the ugly artwork?:bash:

Not just non-functional, it's also poorly executed (as you said), and a waste of money! Oh yeah, didn't I mention traffic choke point earlier?

Christian_123

December 18th, 2010, 04:27 PM

Even though i'm a fan of Bayani Fernando...That certain contest / project he made is really quite ugly and useless. Its one of BF's "bright :| "ideas......

-SNPKLSDMBLDR-

December 18th, 2010, 04:56 PM

i think magiging ok yan kung gagawin rin nila yung landscaping katulad ng sa model, yun lang ay kung gagawin nila. :lol:

amras

December 18th, 2010, 05:30 PM

I agree.. once the landscaping is done, the whole place would look better.

spearhead

December 19th, 2010, 03:44 PM

nelo--

December 19th, 2010, 05:04 PM

^ the government should monopolize public transportation especially in metro manila. scrap the jeepney, replace it with something like a modern tranvia instead.

gaLj

December 19th, 2010, 05:27 PM

Crap. :bash:

we're always good at it :lol:

paulirium

December 19th, 2010, 05:33 PM

To be honest, it looks like a giant scrotum! :bash:

The concept, finish product & write-up fails to impress me. This project is such a waste of space, money & time. The name "Layag Islas" is very promising, but the architects failed to translate its beauty.

A possible workaround is to add vertical gardens or clad it with glass louvers, then surround it with water.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0hXSm0gbf0g/S6uRSuf0gCI/AAAAAAAAAEs/C7A1F-iCw0c/s400/Bike+Station+2.jpg

Lurker99

December 19th, 2010, 08:21 PM

^ the government should monopolize public transportation especially in metro manila. scrap the jeepney, replace it with something like a modern tranvia instead.

^^ agree agree! corruption corruption... blah blah! private or public sector there's always corruption! we really need the government to solve the root cause of a lot of problems in the public transportation!

i say continue the jeepney but make it more modern and efficient

afterlife00

December 19th, 2010, 09:33 PM

bagumbayani

December 20th, 2010, 02:33 AM

Right now, this structure is not very impressive. I've seen several airport gateway monuments and this one is maybe one of the worst.

greenshields

December 20th, 2010, 02:39 AM

NTprime

December 20th, 2010, 04:05 AM

^^ agree agree! corruption corruption... blah blah! private or public sector there's always corruption! we really need the government to solve the root cause of a lot of problems in the public transportation!

i say continue the jeepney but make it more modern and efficient

I agree with your first paragraph but regarding the second, this is what I have to say:

How can you make a jeepney more modern and efficient? By making them e-jeepneys? Don't you think that e-jeepneys, with their smaller size, are in the interest of the jeepney owners/operators? That means less revenue and profit per trip. And since there are too many of them (jeepneys) already, that would mean making ends meet will be more difficult.

Remember, the jeepney can only accommodate 12-16 passengers comfortably. Sure, there are some jeepneys that can accommodate up to 20 passengers, but they're packed like sardines, and take longer to disembark in one go. Plus jeepneys unload anywhere they please, which is the main cause of congestion in streets which jeepneys ply. Jeepneys can only carry 1/3 the capacity of bus. If bus drivers were more disciplined, then you'd be able to minimize traffic along EDSA dramatically, and then start allowing them routes currently served by jeepneys only. The big question is IF and WHEN the drivers are disciplined, i.e. not unloading wherever they please but only at designated stops, and when at designated stops, staying only for a minute at the most. Also, the buses should have 2 doors (front for entrance only and rear for exit only), so that boarding and disembarking of passengers is orderly. And they should push for an automated option (smart pass, stored value tickets, etc.) so that the driver or conductor doesn't have to fumble through his/her pockets getting change.

The fewer jeepneys in Metro Manila, the better. I say the government limit them to tourist spots and not to commuters except in routes where buses cannot serve at all, plus encourage commuters to walk to the stations and not board/disembark wherever they please.

NTprime

December 20th, 2010, 04:44 AM

people, let's be positive here. easy on the comments. look at it this way, if i were the designer of that structure, and i'm sure, he/she worked passionately/damn-hard for that design, it would really hurt reading your comments. let's be more sensitive with throwing criticisms.

It's really hard to comment on this thing with just five or six photos only. Maybe these are bad angled shots. Or maybe some of us are right, when the landscaping is done, it would be much better.

All i'm saying is, we must commend MMDA for its initiative on atleast trying to build a public art, and show some respect to the designer (i'm sure he won fair and square, enough to gain our respect for him/them as an artist). The problem with us, is that, we're so used to seeing the negative side [only] of things.

just visit the site, or wait for more photos. peace guys, no hate... i'm just sayin' :)

I'm not criticizing the person who designed the supposed "work of art", I'm criticizing the MMDA who in the first place should have made this rotonda a more functional place and devoid of traffic, not full of it! Look at the congestion at that rotonda on a daily basis (we pass there often, sometimes once or twice a week), they can't even make cars go in the right lanes and directions! With what's happening nowadays, do you really think we should commend the MMDA for this specific project? I hope you see the side of the people who have to frequent this area and bear the horrendous traffic.

What makes it worse is that the partially closed intersection at Andrews Avenue and Tramo St. forces motorists coming from NAIA 1, 2 and domestic terminals to go around Circulo del Mundo before going back to EDSA. Otherwise they can drive even further towards Nichols Sales interchange and pass through the Skyway and pay extra pesos to avoid the congestion! That is a lack of foresight on the planners or whoever is assigned to make that rotonda functional!:bash: To me, the rotonda is meant for the following:

1. Ease of access coming from Nichols area/Skyway for passengers going to NAIA Terminal 3, as well as T1 and T2 if the motorist decides to avoid EDSA (which in this case, seems faster since after going down the Skyway they just have to turn left underneath the Magallanes interchange...which is also a chokepoint).

2. Ease of access for motorists going in the opposite of No. 1 above. I already mentioned this in my first paragraph above.

That alone should be enough reason, by virtue of decongesting that area, that a oddly designed structure be placed somewhere else where it does not add to the traffic in a more than 4 way intersection naturally prone to congestion!

Right now, this structure is not very impressive. I've seen several airport gateway monuments and this one is maybe one of the worst.

Agree! Should we even go to the extent of posting pictures or mentioning which monuments these are? This is the MMDA thread, not the NAIA thread. :lol:

For better appreciation of public art...check out Bonifacio Global City. There, the art work blends quite well with the buildings and the road layout. For the NAIA 3 Circulo, I think its been subject to a lot of curses already considering the traffic jams in the area and the poorly designed curvature.

Yeah, go BGC! They made good use of the empty parcels of land despite the weird original street design.

absinthe_888

December 20th, 2010, 08:01 AM

What makes it worse is that the partially closed intersection at Andrews Avenue and Tramo St. forces motorists coming from NAIA 1, 2 and domestic terminals to go around Circulo del Mundo before going back to EDSA. Otherwise they can drive even further towards Nichols Sales interchange and pass through the Skyway and pay extra pesos to avoid the congestion! That is a lack of foresight on the planners or whoever is assigned to make that rotonda functional!:bash:

I have to agree with you, ang layoooooooooooooooo talaga ng iikutan mo.

arnolds

December 20th, 2010, 09:03 AM

I'm not criticizing the person who designed the supposed "work of art", I'm criticizing the MMDA who in the first place should have made this rotonda a more functional place and devoid of traffic, not full of it! Look at the congestion at that rotonda on a daily basis (we pass there often, sometimes once or twice a week), they can't even make cars go in the right lanes and directions! With what's happening nowadays, do you really think we should commend the MMDA for this specific project? I hope you see the side of the people who have to frequent this area and bear the horrendous traffic.

What makes it worse is that the partially closed intersection at Andrews Avenue and Tramo St. forces motorists coming from NAIA 1, 2 and domestic terminals to go around Circulo del Mundo before going back to EDSA. Otherwise they can drive even further towards Nichols Sales interchange and pass through the Skyway and pay extra pesos to avoid the congestion! That is a lack of foresight on the planners or whoever is assigned to make that rotonda functional!:bash: To me, the rotonda is meant for the following:

1. Ease of access coming from Nichols area/Skyway for passengers going to NAIA Terminal 3, as well as T1 and T2 if the motorist decides to avoid EDSA (which in this case, seems faster since after going down the Skyway they just have to turn left underneath the Magallanes interchange...which is also a chokepoint).

2. Ease of access for motorists going in the opposite of No. 1 above. I already mentioned this in my first paragraph above.

That alone should be enough reason, by virtue of decongesting that area, that a oddly designed structure be placed somewhere else where it does not add to the traffic in a more than 4 way intersection naturally prone to congestion!

I firmly believe the people making these decisions have no clue on how certain structures and designs affect the traffic flow in a given area.

kenjikun07

December 20th, 2010, 11:38 AM

^ the government should monopolize public transportation especially in metro manila. scrap the jeepney, replace it with something like a modern tranvia instead.

We need more railways! But the problem is the Jeepney & Bus Operators, some of them will talk to some politicians especially with that fat guy in the senate....:bash::bash:

knight225

December 20th, 2010, 05:14 PM

We need more railways! But the problem is the Jeepney & Bus Operators, some of them will talk to some politicians especially with that fat guy in the senate....:bash::bash:

TRUE!! :ohno:

Yzdro

December 22nd, 2010, 06:02 AM

Part II. JEEPNEY

A local transportation institution the present Jeepney takes so much road space clogs the flow of traffic because of arbitrary stops, have limited hauling capacity and travel impractical distances. Presently, there is a mismatch for their capacity and travel distance and so they are impractical for longer haul. Arbitrary Jeepney routes, contributes to the Funnel effect on main roads,secondary and some major roads.
To free up the limited road space the following should be implemented;

A. Move-out the jeepney from developed routes and put-in place buses, this will free up road space.
Example is the east and west service road of SLEX. Shaw Blvd., Taft Avenue etc., Cubao-Quiapo trough Magsaysay, Quezon Blvd., Taft ave, Rizal Ave. , CM Recto and main roads of other cities in the Metro.

B. Empower and Encourage the LGU to initiate studies to identify new routes, by conducting simple but reliable traffic counts. The number of jeepneys to be given franchise per new route will be based on this study. The present LTFRB are more involved in administrative functions and less on planning and innovation.

C. Abolish matured jeepney routes and open them new bus routes. Create new jeepney routes, since some routes have already matured for just tricycle serviced routes.
Examples of matured route; Cubao to Quiapo, or Divisoria, Pasig to Quiapo, Binangonan to Cubao, Baclaran to Quiapo or Divisoria.

D. When new routes are created the existing jeepney population will be properly distributed according to demand hence the new routes will be attractive to drivers and operators. Existing drivers and operators will not be displaced. The jeepney operation will be profitable and new investment opportunity for OFW .

E. Legislate so that franchising and permits for Jeepney, tricycle, padyak and sikad will be regulated by the LGU, for a more focused regulatory implementation of their franchise. LGU’s can identify new jeepney sub-routes, and open them as the routes mature.

F. Jeepney will be confined to sectors with a maximum travel distance of 5 km point to point, using one fixed fare at any point. More jeepney zone will be opened, by dispersing crowded routes and opening new and profitable routes.
Example; A new ortigas –shaw v.v route making a loop within the Otigas CBD, like the “ikot jeeps’, Anew route inside Salcedo village , anew route inside Legazpi village, etc.

G. Make the Jeepney compliment the buses so as to improve their capacity, serviceability and profitability. Today jeepneys and buses are competing for road space and common passengers instead of complimenting each other.
a. Jeepney will not be allowed to ply the bus routes; they can cross main roads and bus routes though.
b. Standardize the seating capacity of jeepney to 10 passengers, for smaller engine displacement.
c. Improve the design of jeepney, to benefit seniors and children, lower the cab height for easier access & raise the headroom.
d. Make jeepney stops compliment bus stops. This will eliminate permanent terminals where jeepneys queue for long hours and hence become less profitable.
e. Conduct seminars and training for existing drivers and educate them on customer service, road courtesy and public safety. Implement a demerit system to be integrated in penalties for traffic violations.

H. Implement a color coding scheme for jeepneys paint and instead of small signboard, legible letters or number code will be used to identify the routes. This will discourage trip cutting , out of line and colorum jeepneys.

I. Mandate jeepneys plying a particular zone to form consortium like set-up so as they can police their ranks to avoid clogging of jeepney stops , blocking and implement a queuing scheme.

J. The government must give incentive for the use of cleaner fuel or alternative power source, by giving rebates on franchise fees and other regulatory fees.

K. The jeepney fabrication and maintenance business will be revitalized and more jobs will be created in the process.

L. A similar scheme can also be implemented in other progressive cities, where roads are limited .

NTprime

December 22nd, 2010, 09:57 AM

^^These points are all good, although some still fall short IMO.

E.g. jeepneys should comply with Euro 2 standards (this is the standard for the country now). They are major causes of pollution, and are very inefficient, consumption wise. They should also ensure that the tread of the jeepney's tires are not worn out down to the steelbelt (which is very common), and that they should have a functional spare tire always. In the past, there was even this regulations that jeepney drivers were collared shirts and shoes, not sleeveless shirts (sando) and slippers. This needs to be enforced with political will, without favor to any individual.

Jeepneys should also be gradually phased out. The jeepney drivers can be retrained for other trades, say mechanics or even bus drivers. Too many jeepneys on the road will cause congestion, good thing they don't multiply as fast as motorcycles!

rickie

December 22nd, 2010, 11:28 AM

^^ agree on all points also. personally, thinking of good replacements/plans for jeepneys are the easy part. implementing it would be hard.

even if we had a president willing to do it, how would the congressmen and local officials react? this issue could very well lead to impeachment. so if i were a sitting official, i would think twice about this.

(nakakawalang gana if you think about how off we are from the right place as a country.)

paulirium

December 22nd, 2010, 02:24 PM

For better appreciation of public art...check out Bonifacio Global City. There, the art work blends quite well with the buildings and the road layout. For the NAIA 3 Circulo, I think its been subject to a lot of curses already considering the traffic jams in the area and the poorly designed curvature.

I AGREE :okay: BGC's public artworks are something to be proud of. It reflects our prowess in arts & shows our value for culture.

Recently, the public saw "Pilipinas kay Ganda", courtesy of Department of Tourism. Just this month, it's "Layag Islas" from Metro Manila Development Authority. What's next?!

Come on, let's accept the fact that this is not the best design. The other designs are far better & more deserving to win & be built. The sad part is, the structure is there already. What MMDA can do is "refine" it by adding adornments or glass/aluminum cladding. They should also stop planting greeneries if they can't maintain it. It's better to surround it with granite than a bunch of decaying plants.

Sky Harbor

December 22nd, 2010, 04:43 PM

Yzdro

December 23rd, 2010, 04:21 AM

Part III TRICYCLES & PEDICABS

The hot and humid climate we have in our country plus the unpredictable rainy season contributed to the problem of uncomfortable mobility. The failure of the concerned government agencies to anticipate the need of the growing population in the expanding metropolis provided an opportunity for the growth of the tricycle and Pedi cab industry.
This is the rationale for the proposed devolution of the franchising function of jeepney routes, tricycle routes and even pedicab routes to the LGU’s., who are more focused on the local environment.
The following guidelines can be used in addressing the need for tricycles and pedicab in complementing other land transport services;

A. Create new sub-routes for tricycles; Tricycles will be confined to sectors with a maximum travel distance of 1 km point to point, preferably on a loop where each end can be used as tricycle stops.

B. A simple traffic count can determine the allowable number of Tricycle to be given franchise per zone. This will disperse the tricycle to sub –routes and will minimize long queues and terminals.

C. A body color coding scheme can be implemented for practical reasons , this will discourage out-of line and colorums.

D. Standardize the design and limit the capacity to two adults , no back rider. Increase the headroom and improve the suspension.

E. Make the Tricycle compliment the Jeepney, tricycles will not be allowed to travel on jeepney routes and bus routes, but can cross the main jeepney route, LGU will identify tricycle route and designate the streets that they can use. Involve the LGU for identifying new service sectors for tricycles and pedicabs.

F. Create sub-routes for Sikad or Padyaks, LGU’s will identify theses routes. Padyaks will be confined to sectors with a maximum travel distance of 500 meters point to point.. Make the tri-sikad or padyak compliment the tricycles, doing small door to door pick-ups and deliveries on narrow streets or eskinitas.

G. Compliment Provincial bus terminal with LRT stops or bus stops, LRT stops with metro bus stops, bus stops with jeepney stops, jeepney stops with tricycle stops, tricycle stops with sikad/padyak stops.

H. Simplify traffic routes, Study using simple transport loops
I. Create more zones for jeep routes, and smaller sub-sectors for tricycles and Padyaks.

J. Identify road usage as to commercial vehicle traffic, private vehicle traffic, public vehicle traffic and foot traffic as tool for creating routes.

K. Give incentive to developers of multi-level parking buildings and multi-level bus , jeep, terminals. If possible LGU should build these whenever their resources allow since this will pay for itself in time.

L. To streamline the monitoring and regulatory function of the LGU’s legislate to make Jeepneys to form coops or consortia, and give franchise to coops and not to individual operators, similarly tricycles and Padyaks can benefit from forming their own coops.

tunatuna

December 23rd, 2010, 04:27 AM

Right now, this structure is not very impressive. I've seen several airport gateway monuments and this one is maybe one of the worst.

:lol:

greenshields

December 23rd, 2010, 08:16 AM

Parang excerpts ng thesis sa public transport planning ang mga posts ah. :) Joking aside, the recommendations posted are really quite logical and reasonable. In fact, some of the items are already in place like the transport coops and other items are always mentioned in workshops of the DOTC and the LTFRB like the need for this and that terminal/hub and the how there should be a hierarchy of public transport services where lesser capacity modes complement those with higher capacities. Sadly, there are always obstacles thrown in and many of these just because the agencies don't want to deal with the socio-economic implications of rationalizing public transport in this country and especially in Metro Manila. As the saying goes: "kung gusto, gagawa ng paraan, kung ayaw, gagawa ng dahilan."

NTprime

December 25th, 2010, 03:45 AM

Question: what exactly is the connection of Layag Islas to the layout of the roundabout? It's been there, as far as I know, since NAIA-3's construction, probably even before. If ever, the blame shouldn't go to the MMDA, but to the DPWH, since Andrews Avenue is a national road.

DPWH might have the reason in the "underground sewage reservoir" which they probably didn't want to dig up and improve on it they had created a series of flyovers leading into different directions (straight to Andrews Avenue), left to NAIA 3, right coming from Newport City, etc. I'm not sure if the NAIA Terminal 3 planners took that into consideration when they built the access roads to the terminal itself. One thing is certain, because of the many roads leading to this rotonda, traffic is magnified and it doesn't help if a poorly thought of steel structure with no apparent useful functionality is sitting like a large dinosaur egg, wondering if it will take another Jurassic period before it hatches.:lol:

absinthe_888

December 25th, 2010, 09:31 AM

^^ Sorry but I can't help myself laughing po. :D

NTprime

December 26th, 2010, 07:50 AM

^^ Sorry but I can't help myself laughing po. :D

Hahaha, some Christmas Day humor I injected there. :lol: It does look like a flattened building that fell out of the sky (check this photo by Kintoy).

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab335/kin_toy/PC231106_2.jpg

Mithril Cloud

December 26th, 2010, 07:53 AM

Somehow, I can't help but think that the designers forgot to consider how it would look like at ground level.

michael677

December 26th, 2010, 01:27 PM

boom_box

December 26th, 2010, 01:35 PM

NTprime

December 26th, 2010, 02:58 PM

filcan

December 26th, 2010, 03:38 PM

^^Were they doing landscaping work around the monument or are they completely finished with it?

NTprime

December 27th, 2010, 03:38 AM

^^Were they doing landscaping work around the monument or are they completely finished with it?

More of fixing the embankment so the innermost lanes were partially closed. But I didn't notice it that much, that place is DARK at night save for the technicolor structure of Layag Islas, and there was not as much traffic so I noticed only the few workers on the sides.

The place is still not complete, if you are referring to the landscaping.

Bosnyboy

December 27th, 2010, 06:12 AM

Was at the airport area a few hours ago. The flattened dino egg is hideous at night. The architect I was with said the same thing ... dinosaur egg:lol:

Surprisingly traffic was not as bad but it was indeed dark, I couldn't even see the unfinished pedestrian overpass that is supposed to connect the Total station side with NAIA 3.:bash:

BTW there was some pavement work ongoing earlier. You can imagine how bad traffic would get when the people from the provinces start arriving in a few days...

Yah i agree with you, the place is really really dark. Not a very good impression for a foreigner to see when they land at night. The area around the airport to the flyovers up to the streets leading to fort bonifacio is pitch darksave for some lights here and there. But then entire metro manila is poorly lit in general. May lampost walang light bulb. May light bulb pero di naman naka sindi. May naka sindi pero marami ang nagkakabit ng jumper cables, ninanakaw ang kuryente. Sa manila naman maraming lamp post dikit dikit pero wala namang ilaw. Walang maintenance, walang coordinated plan on how to light up the streets. Iba iba ang lighting temperatures ang ginagamit kaya nakakahilo mag drive sa gabi not to mention very dangerous. Like what happen to the venezuelan consul who crashed his vehicle on a row of mmda pink fences, he blamed it on poor lighting. Well, we're still third world even if the private sectors comes up with we first world projects like our shopping malls. Majority ng mga tao dito sa atin third world mentality paren. Puro katamaran at pagnanakaw ang iniisip. Im sorry to generalize pero its reality and nakaka dissappoint talaga.

lochinvar

December 27th, 2010, 06:35 AM

Baka dahil sa kadiliman ay mabanga ng mga sasakyan ang itlog. Scrambled egg ang mangyayari niyan.

absinthe_888

December 27th, 2010, 08:30 AM

Surprisingly traffic was not as bad but it was indeed dark, I couldn't even see the unfinished pedestrian overpass that is supposed to connect the Total station side with NAIA 3.:bash:

Sir, yung mga streetlights sa Andrews Avenue ay puro naka tengga lang?

Ian. Absalom.

December 27th, 2010, 10:22 AM

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Ian. Absalom.

December 27th, 2010, 10:56 AM

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Ian. Absalom.

December 27th, 2010, 10:58 AM

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Ian. Absalom.

December 27th, 2010, 11:00 AM

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NTprime

December 27th, 2010, 11:16 AM

Sir, yung mga streetlights sa Andrews Avenue ay puro naka tengga lang?

Not sure which stretch of Andrews Avenue you are referring to, but there are some lights near PAL Purchasing office and AirPhilexpress hangar. But the area surrounding the Layag Islas is dark (save for it's own psychedelic light display) and especially the area near the unfinished pedestrian overpass. I was more focused in looking for that overpass that I didn't notice the other areas which were lighted. But ResortsWorld is definitely bright, although the steel carpark near there needs some bright light as well.

michael677

December 27th, 2010, 01:07 PM

ACTUALLY,

there are already functioning mmDA streetlighting poles at the dinosaur egg. so its well lit. ang madilim na part ay yung andrews ave to domestic airport

pero there are already mmda streetpoles, hindi pa lang nakasindi

i think in 1 or 2 months maayos na to

NAIA skyway at grade level is definitely dark up towards lawton ave up to Fort BGC.

knight225

December 27th, 2010, 03:06 PM

Jeepneys should also be gradually phased out. The jeepney drivers can be retrained for other trades, say mechanics or even bus drivers. Too many jeepneys on the road will cause congestion, good thing they don't multiply as fast as motorcycles![/QUOTE]

you are absolutely right!! what can we do?? i mean i just dont get it.. really.. we are in the 21st century and we have jeepneys, pedicabs, trics and Kuliglig..

we need to encourage people to walk.. you are also right.. but how they bloody walk? if there is no sidewalk/pavements/

CRAP CRAP!! we need to have bus that has a clear route/ stops at bus stops.. replace jeeps with bus.. smaller bus.. like what they used in the fort. same as what they use in European countries..

roads in London are more smaller but traffic runs fast because there is proper bus stops..

haay! i dont know what we can do...... wala atang pangarap ang mga nasa gobyerno.. alam lng nla mag palakas sa mga MASA.. but they are not part of the solution they are part of the problem..

dapat mg isip sla ng for LONG TERM purposes!

NTprime

December 27th, 2010, 04:19 PM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5296340514_873545a6aa_b.jpg

While your designs are well-intentioned, they are too simplistic.

Take your example above. Do you think an elevated bypass road is practical cutting across the landing path of airplanes at NAIA? Or even cutting through Fort Bonifacio Global City with all its high rises? Not to mention the CBDs of Ortigas, and parts of Mandaluyong (Pioneer area)?

What might be better is if you propose in greater detail areas where the ROW is not an issue, or can be easily resolved. Metro Manila is so built up that the practical ROWs for elevated roads are right above the congested roads themselves, or at the PNR ROW. Other than that many of your proposals will be a pipe dream.

mwg12a

December 27th, 2010, 05:57 PM

to hell with that Rotunda already.. its there already nothing we can do about it

there are more important things like fixing the lights at the roads to the airport!!! the philippines is such a third world crap tlga!!!! even the roads to the airport is so damn dark!:bash::bash:

mahiya ka PNoy sa inyo pa naman nakapangalan ang airport na to

NGek!! Bakit mo kay Aquino, blame ito? Hindi naman sa administration niya ipinagawa ito at ang mga kalye????? Panahon pa ni Ramos ang plano ng mga yan at binuksan sa panahon ni Arroyo... Although, Aquino can order a speedy work in finishing that area of NAIA together with all the light fixtures.

Anyway, I wonder if they can add fountain to the metal dinasour egg there in NAIA :lol::lol::lol: Maybe they can transform that shit into a cascading waterfalls with fountain somewhere near it, then add laser lights in the evening so atleast it will turn into an attraction in itself(hopefully would not huge traffic caused by expectators).

Ian. Absalom.

December 27th, 2010, 06:28 PM

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Ian. Absalom.

December 27th, 2010, 06:33 PM

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lochinvar

December 27th, 2010, 09:38 PM

That artificial spillway looks nice in picture, however, that area is elevated. San Pablo may look like it is on flat land but it is elevated. Pumping the water up will entail much energy. California can afford to pump Sacramento water to Los Angeles because there are people waiting to use and pay for it.

NTprime

December 28th, 2010, 03:20 AM

The main objective of the South Luzon Elevated Bypass is to shorten the destination of motorists from north EDSA to SLEX and vice versa from 40-50 mins. to 20-30 mins, which will decongest south EDSA and the Radial Road 3 (R-3). And also, it will not cut across the landing path of airplanes at NAIA, because the Elevated Bypass is located on the east side of the R-3, while NAIA is on the west. But there may be a possibility that it would cut through some parts of Fort Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas, and even Mandaluyong. Oh, and by the way, Thanks for the Advice, Dude. :)

I personally think the elevated bypass road would be better placed in the Pateros-Taguig area to connect to C6 at the Napindan Bridge area. That place is not yet heavily built, and the gov't. should discourage squatters from setting up colonies there. Much of the sections of Tipas in Taguig are warehouses and factories so buying the ROW wouldn't be as expensive as crossing through Bonifacio Global City or parts of Mandaluyong/Ortigas.

Also, a coastal road running the length of R1 and R10 might be a better choice if builders decide to elevate it. This should encourage some development, even reclamation of Manila Bay where you can have high rises that look out to the famous Manila sunset. Not only that, the government can then encourage Manila Bay tours with viewing a totally new skyline (something similar to what they have in Singapore).

As for the spillway project, the distance between Laguna de Bay and Tayabas Bay is easily a hundred kilometers, the government does not have the funds for that. It also doesn't look feasible as there was a 1970s proposal to create the Paranaque spillway which Jun Palafox has been advocating and that GMA had considered but to this day it seems nothing has been done. Talk about ningas cogon!:bash:

NTprime

December 28th, 2010, 03:49 AM

NGek!! Bakit mo kay Aquino, blame ito? Hindi naman sa administration niya ipinagawa ito at ang mga kalye????? Panahon pa ni Ramos ang plano ng mga yan at binuksan sa panahon ni Arroyo... Although, Aquino can order a speedy work in finishing that area of NAIA together with all the light fixtures.

Anyway, I wonder if they can add fountain to the metal dinasour egg there in NAIA :lol::lol::lol: Maybe they can transform that shit into a cascading waterfalls with fountain somewhere near it, then add laser lights in the evening so atleast it will turn into an attraction in itself(hopefully would not huge traffic caused by expectators).

Hahaha, I like your idea there! :lol: However it won't work as the laser lights will distract the oncoming aircraft, especially those coming in for a landing. Plus yes, it will cause a lot of traffic because of the spectators. You know what, a large dancing fountain similar to that in Luneta or Manila Ocean Park would be better.

When it comes to airports, functionality should be primordial over design with regard to structures nearby. You can have a grand design with the airport terminal itself, but not the structures that may cause distractions, especially if these slow down traffic. The MIAA could have just had a statue, fountain or large metal sculpture at the airport parking grounds, not at the rotonda which is the cause of traffic. I've seen large statues in cities but not all of them were located near the airport, they are better off near the center of town or at least in a major intersection (think Balintawak 30 years ago before they built the LRT and MRT). Or think Rizal's statue which was built on a large park. With the Layag Islas, the place is not even a park, plus it is very inaccessible to pedestrians because there are no underpasses leading to it.

My take is that it is a very poor copycat/wannabe of the Singapore Esplanade (aka Durian). At least the Esplanade is functional as it houses a concert hall and theaters. You can't say that of the Layag Islas.:ohno:

mwg12a

December 28th, 2010, 06:26 PM

oh, I was just thinking of laser lights that does not shoots up the sky and just pointed directly on the fountain, but yeah, I am sure it will just cause traffic around it.

Ian. Absalom.

December 28th, 2010, 09:13 PM

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lochinvar

December 28th, 2010, 09:24 PM

Dig, tunnel. That's the cue. I only said San Pablo but the reality is that the whole area is elevated topped by Mt. Banahao. It will entail humongous amount of money to dig that long tunnel. That Palafox tunnel is much more efficient compared to this very, very long tunnel. You just don't look at plain map. You have to consider topography and/or contour of the land.

Ian. Absalom.

December 28th, 2010, 09:25 PM

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Ian. Absalom.

December 28th, 2010, 09:44 PM

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lochinvar

December 28th, 2010, 09:57 PM

I could see your point, Ian. Though that map is very simplistic and doesn't really represent the absolute contour of the land. I grew up in the eastern portion of Laguna and I am quite familiar with that area.

Ian. Absalom.

December 28th, 2010, 10:07 PM

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lochinvar

December 29th, 2010, 03:43 AM

Yes, of course. Lumaki ako sa Lalawigan ng Laguna. Marami-rami rin akong napanood na pelikula nina Delia Razon, Marlene Dauden at Charito Solis, he, he.

michael677

December 29th, 2010, 06:03 AM

mwg12a

December 29th, 2010, 07:56 AM

I wonder why "political will" is a comon word for many here in SSC when they want to point out something? It's like "the words of the year", everybody has to use it atleast once in their lifetime... LOL (no offense to you @michael) It does not necessarily gets things done if things that are done is due to and for the sake of politics, it should be his "will to serve" there is a difference ofcourse. Right now, there are far way more important things a President should do, I know he has been slacking but isn't it the reason why the government have branches under it's arms? I don't think any President can oversee every litttle things out in the street or attend to every single one of them, this is why we have MMDA and MIAA... they are all tasked to oversee all these while the President should address other more important matters and issues than just these pesky street lights that would be activated anyway to begin with, people just need to have patience. Economy and corruption as well as job creation is what the President should be focusing on and leave street lights and such to proper authorities. These problems should be directed to the appropriate government leaders. What's the use of the City Mayor, MMDA head, Metro Manila Governor if things like these had to be relied and blamed for the President? Sheesh, this is why the Philippines is back wards, people are just barking on a wrong tree. What's up with that?

yhuanista07

December 29th, 2010, 11:53 AM

LAYAG ISLAS

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b304/fighter24/model.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b304/fighter24/Trumpeteers.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b304/fighter24/sunset.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b304/fighter24/Photo1.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b304/fighter24/IMG00155-20101215-1842.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b304/fighter24/Blue2.jpg

http://mcsicaa.blogspot.com/2010/12/layag-islas-at-circulo-frl-mundo-id.html

^^ hindi pa tapos, may mga images pa yan sa loob... wala ring landscape... parang ni isang puno wala, mukang tinipid... http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=414600538078&set=a.414549263078.212297.209721698078#!/photo.php?fbid=414600563078&set=a.414549263078.212297.209721698078&pid=5214421&id=209721698078

sana ayusin nila para hindi naman mukang nasayang ung pera ng bayan. :nuts:

popsiclestar

December 29th, 2010, 04:39 PM

Marami-rami rin akong napanood na pelikula nina Delia Razon, Marlene Dauden at Charito Solis, he, he.

:lol::lol:

dessertfox

December 30th, 2010, 06:30 PM

Heto ang isang halos kumpletong pag-aaral kung paano makatutulong sa Metro Manila at masolusyunan ang pag-apaw at mapa-unlad ang Laguna De Bay. Si Palafox ay kasama pa noong ilang dekada na ang nakararaan sa proyektong ito, mula pa nang unang kalamidad at pag baha noong panahon ni Pangulong Marcos kung saan na-proklamang ahensiya ang LLDA. Gaya nga nang nasabi ni @NTPRIME na Ningas Cogon mentality kung kailan lang may trahedyang nangyari gaya nang Ondoy saka lang muli bubusisiin. Kung nagawa na yan noong pang araw ay hindi hamak na malaking kaunlaran para sa Pilipinas ang mga yan. Pulitika ang punot-dulo nito gaya ngayon matapos ma-pirmahan ang kontrata sa Dredging, kinansela naman nang bagong mga umupo. Ganoon pa man mukhang ilalaban nang pit-pitan nang b---g nang bagong guberador nang Laguna ang proyektong ito, harinawa ay matuloy na nga.

May punto si @ian, dahil isang proposal na gawin ang spillway palabas sa dagat Pacifico, pero hindi sa gaya nang mungkahi niya na sa bulubundukin nang Laguna via San Pablo ang daan, imposible ito, pwede pa marahil ang suhestiyon na padaanin sa bandang Siniloan, Famy puntang ilog nang mga bayan sa Quezon. Pero ang pinaka-praktikal ay ang Paranaque Spillway dahilang maikli lang at menos gastos, ginaya nila ito sa Malaysia na ginawang daanan na rin nang sasakyan kung walang pag-baha sa lawa.

Urban planner unveils vision for the future

(The Philippine Star) Updated July 30, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (0)

MANILA, Philippines - Noted urban planner Architect Felino Palafox Jr. has called for a paradigm shift, that will encourage inhabitants near Laguna de Bay to care for the lake “as a front door of development,” as well as a feature and resource instead of neglecting it as a “back of the house eyesore” and rubbish bin.

Palafox, founder and managing parter of Palafox Associates, warned that Laguna de Bay is in danger and is suffering from catastrophic neglect and abuse that has made its condition critical.

He said the country can benefit from looking at examples of cities where once abused and neglected bodies of water have recovered their past magnificence and now serve as centers of urban waterfront development. These include Chicago’s Lake Michigan, San Francisco Bay area, Lake Geneva, Hanoi’s Lakes, River Seine in Paris, London’s Thames River, New York’s Hudson, Singapore River, Dubai Creek, and Paseo del Rio in San Antonio, Texas.

Palafox emphasized that Laguna de Bay is a living lake which continues to nourish this nation, providing drinking water as well as food.

He noted that storms, typhoons, rains, floodwater, mud, silt, pollution, deforestation, illegal logging in uplands, abuse of the lake, and rapid urban expansion, generally growing outwards from the Metro Manila area towards Laguna Lake region greatly affect Laguna de Bay and its environs.

“The Calabarzon subregion, the area which the lake occupies, now houses 15 percent of the nation’s population as it has become the catch basin to Metro Manila’s population and urbanization overspill. The possible consequences of this rapid swelling of the population include a severe food and water shortage, increase in traffic congestion, and environmental degradation” he said.

Palafox explained that despite rapid urbanization and suburbanization, Laguna de Bay still flourishes as a center for agricultural and aquacultural activities. These activities include the growing of rice, animal husbandry, duck raising, fishing and fish farming. “Laguna de Bay has a production capacity of Manila’s freshwater fish. Further pollution of the lake poses a major threat to this significant food supply,” he warned.

He added that given projections that within the next 30 years, the nation will experience a lack of potable water due to pollution of its water resources, Laguna de Bay serves as perhaps the single most important potential future source of potable water for the Manila Bay Metropolitan region and Calabarzon.

To preserve Laguna de Bay, Palafox Associates said it envisions a lakefront of walkable and bikeable linear parks and promenades for lakeshore communities to enjoy its shores in hopes that such development will encourage inhabitants and visitors to turn towards the lack as proud custodians.

It said that in contrast to many developments that place rivers, lakes and other waterways at the backdoor of development, any development of Laguna Lake should look at the many opportunities it has to offer. These include its function as a viable transport corridor alternative to the congested roads of Metro Manila as well as land expansion that model the harmonious balance between sound environmental and man-made developments.

Palafox’ vision also includes the designation of eco-areas, where artificial islands are made from dredged materials and are planned as green developments of open spaces, parks, flora and fauna sanctuaries, and low environment impact developments.

Also envisioned is a sustainable and environment-friendly mass transport system that will link Metro Manila to various coastal area within Laguna Lake. Routes and nautical channels will be delineated, which, after their dredging, will allow access of commuter and commercial boats around the lake.

Ferry stations will also be designed applying green architectural principles. They are proposed to be put in Binangonan, Taytay, and Angono in Rizal, Taguig City, and San Pedro and Sta Rosa in Laguna. The stations will have linear (ferry service routes that stop at consecutive stations) and perpendicular connections (those that cross to other stations while bypassing others).

“It is anticipated that economic and population growth will soon disperse to the eastern side of Laguna Lake. Accessibility and efficient transport becomes essential. Thus, several additional stations are proposed that will service the southern and eastern areas of Laguna and the central northern areas of Rizal. This expansion will comprise the second phase of the Laguna Lake Water Transport System. The proposed stations are Cabuyao, Calamba City, Los Banos, Bay, Sta Cruz, Siniloan in Laguna, and Jala Jala and Tanay in Rizal. They will have similar linear and perpendicular connections,” Palafox said.

Eventually, it said the Laguna Lake transport system will be integrated within the current Pasig River transport system, thus expanding water transport from Manila to as far as eastern Laguna and Rizal. “There is also a potential to integrate the proposed Manila Bay water transport system,” it added.

Palafox added that it is expected that the prioritized ports in the western section of Laguna Lake as well as the proposed port expansion in the other areas will act as gateways to farther regions.

“Twenty one rivers, the Manggahan floodway, and other waterways flow into Laguna Lake. It is very critical and imperative that it be dredged and desilted to make it deeper and increase its holding capacity for rainwater and floodwater to avoid further disastrous floods in Metro Manila, and create green islands or eco-islands out of the dredging and silting,” it emphasized.

SOURCE:http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=597945&publicationSubCategoryId=76

boypad

December 31st, 2010, 12:57 AM

Number coding for buses permanent; no physical contact policy to be implemented

BusinessWorld Online
December 30, 2010

THE NUMBER coding scheme for buses plying the streets of the metro will be permanent starting next month, said a resolution from the Metropolitan Manila Council (MMC) that was published in newspapers yesterday.

"Due to the recurring heavy traffic along the major thoroughfares of Metropolitan Manila, partly brought about by rampant violations of traffic rules and regulations committed by bus drivers, the MMC recognized the urgent need to reimplement [the number coding scheme] for all public utility buses from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in all national, city and municipal roads," said the resolution.

The number coding scheme spelled out in the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Regulation no. 10-21, or the "Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program" (UVVRP). The MMDA re-implemented it on an experimental basis on Nov. 15.

Under the scheme, buses with license plates ending in 1 and 2 are banned on Mondays; 3 and 4 Tuesdays; 5 and 6 Wednesdays; 7 and 8 Thursdays; and 9 and 0 Fridays.

"It has been noted that during the implementation of the UVVRP..., the travel speed improved due to the significant decrease of buses from 7,180 to 4,165, [down by] 3,015 , from Monday to Friday," said the resolution.

A previous statement from the MMDA said that a study conducted by the agency’s Traffic and Transport Management Office shows that travel time from Roxas Boulevard to Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) decreased by more than three minutes, due to the continued implementation of the UVVRP as well as the opening of the "Christmas Lanes." Average travel speed went up to 32.07 kilometers per hour (kph) from the previous 27.89 kph.

[B]No physical contact policy

Meanwhile, the "no physical contact policy" of the MMDA in apprehending traffic violators will be reimplemented next month, said an MMC resolution published in local newspapers yesterday.

The resolution said that traffic violators will be apprehended "through the use of digital cameras and/or new technologies used in capturing images for a period of six months." The resolution will take effect 15 days after publication in newspapers, or on Jan. 14.

"The no physical contact policy aims to minimize the occurrence of physical apprehension in order to prevent traffic buildup... To provide better services to the motorists and the riding public and to prevent graft and corruption such as "kotong." ... there is a need to introduce some technologies to further improve and strengthen traffic management and operations in Metro Manila," said the resolution.

The resolution explains that traffic violators caught through the use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras installed throughout the metro will be given a notice indicating the date, time, location, traffic violations committed, the assessed fines, and a photo-clip of the vehicle committing the infraction.

Payment of the fines should be made within seven days of receipt of the notice, at any branch of the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). -- Mico Cortez