source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/
MANILA, Philippines -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will consider lifting its number coding scheme if the volume of vehicles on Metro Manila roads is reduced by at least 20 percent due to the high cost of fuel.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said he was still not inclined to stop implementing the scheme as there has been no significant reduction of vehicles on Metro Manila roads despite the hike in oil prices.
“So far, the vehicle volume reduction is just at 3.2 percent. That is not much so far, even with increased transportation fares and fuel prices,” he told reporters on Thursday.
Asked at what rate he would consider lifting the number-coding scheme, Fernando said the reduction should at least be 20 percent.
“Maybe, if vehicles on our roads have been reduced by 20 percent or even more, then we can lift the number-coding scheme already,” he explained.
Asked if he will support initiatives to impose a car-less day in Metro Manila, Fernando pointed out this scheme might actually create increased fuel consumption.
“If you impose a car-less day and force people not to go to important appointments, they will end up spending more fuel just to go to that appointment on another day,” he said in Filipino.
Fernando said they were still studying the imposition of a car-less day but he declined to categorically state his position on the matter.
The MMDA on Thursday met with the Metro Manila Council, the Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, National Economic Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to discuss food and fuel security.
An information and education campaign on food and energy security will be launched in Metro Manila and in other regions in the country as ordered by the President, Fernando said.
In a resolution approved by the Metro Manila Council, the mayors agreed to pledge support for the information and education campaign to be held in each region.
Fernando said the Metro Manila campaign will focus on the efficiency of the food distribution cycle by putting up more "bagsakan" (drop-off) centers and food terminals.
“We will establish more outlets for the distribution of food so people will not have to queue for so long,” he told reporters after his meeting with the Metro Manila mayors.
The MMDA through the Metro Manila Regional Development Council is also pushing for the increased use of alternative fuels to lessen the country's dependence on imported fuel.
Earlier, MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno said vehicle reduction on EDSA was registered at just 3.2 percent for the first week of July, while the C-5 Road's vehicle volume went down by 5 percent.
5 comments:
This is actually good. Of course, regardless of the fact that there are high oil prices.
There won't be much traffic once this is implemented. And not to mention, there will be less pollution from smoke belching if vehicle owners reduce in number.
Lifting the number coding system at this point of time is not a very good idea. So I would side on Mr. Bayani Fernando's statement that the number coding system may only be lifted once the volume of vehicles decrease at 20 percent or even more.
Some might ask why not just maintain the number coding system even the volume of vehicles decrease at 20 percent or higher? The number coding system's function is to reduce the volume of vehicles on the road to reduce traffic. What is the point of this system when the volume of vehicles would lessen to the point that there are no traffics? It would only further lessen the volume of vehicles which is absolutely irrelevant.
it is impossible to reduce that cars by 20%... pra skin kelngn mgkaroon muna ng famuly planning... sa gnitong paraan mguumpisa ang pgkknti ng kotse ng mga tao....
If this will be implemented, there will be less traffic. It will be easier and faster for us to get to places if there is not traffic. But on the other hand, the people who only have one or two cars will greatly suffer from this. They might have to result to commuting if they can't bring their car on the day it is coding.
the coding scheme should be lifted, it an anti-poor policy, only the poor who cant afford two cars has to suffer, the rich people having two or more cars didnt bothered any
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