This is in reference to the letter titled “Beat traffic woes with your vote” (Opinion, 1/11/16).
The writer, Reni Valenzuela, cited the snail-paced traffic he experienced in Sampaloc, Manila, on Dec. 18, 2015. He mentioned a similar problem on Edsa-Guadalupe. He then urged the voting public to discern during the 2016 national elections as good traffic flow and their votes would mean the same thing.
The resignation of a Metro Manila Development Authority chair and the turnover of the traffic management in Metro Manila from MMDA to the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police will not solve the traffic problem. Similarly, the change of political leaders will not translate into a solution of the problem unless our voters elect new, honest leaders who will implement the following suggestions for the good of our country:
- Exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire the private properties beside Metro Manila’s busy roads to provide additional lanes;
- Transfer the national government offices and agencies, including Malacañang and the military camps, to the nearby provinces and cities thereby reducing the number of vehicles and people in the metropolis (including illegal settlers and sidewalk vendors), and thus decongesting the place and easing traffic flow.
—MANUEL SARZA, Malawag, Nabua, Camarines Sur