Traffic problem beyond MMDA’s power to solve

I am not taking away from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) its tireless efforts in trying to ease the monstrous traffic along Edsa and nearby streets. These efforts are very commendable, and I salute MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino for his patience in absorbing the blame hurled at him because of the problem. But the MMDA can only lessen the problem with Band-aid solutions.

A few months ago, I warned in a letter to the editor that the National Capital Region was heading toward a metrowide traffic gridlock unless we put a limit to the yearly influx of 200,000 cars, excluding unaccounted vehicles from the gray market and assembly shops for jeepneys and trucks (Opinion, 6/11/14). The yearly inflow, at 8 square meters per car, eats up roughly 1.6 million sqm of our already very limited road network in the metropolis. In other words, in a few years our traffic will be caught in a standstill. It is doubtful if government can construct enough additional road space to accommodate the ever-growing car population.

I would therefore reiterate my suggestion that we now put a cap on the number of vehicles allowed to use our roads. Again, my kudos to the MMDA for trying its best to solve an “impossible problem.”

—ALBERTO S. ACENAS,

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