Newly installed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said building high-capacity mass transportation and active transport-friendly spaces will help solve traffic problem in Metro Manila and eventually make the metropolis a conducive environment.
During a press briefing at Malacañang, Sec. Dizon explained that the “long-term and ultimate” solution to eliminating traffic in Metro Manila is through mass transportation.
“The long-term, ultimate solution to traffic is really mass transit. High-capacity – ibig sabihin, daan-daan ang kasya dun. Kailangan natin ang mga tren. Kailangan nating dagdagan ang [mga bagon ng] MRT. Kailangan natin ang subway. ‘Yan ang mga ultimate solutions pero kailangang matapos ng mabilis,” Sec. Dizon said.
The transport chief said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to speed up mass transit systems for commuter efficiency and help Filipinos veer away from a car-centric mindset.
“We have to veer away from that [car-centric Metro Manila] and that’s what the President wants,” he said.
Active Transportation
Sec. Dizon added that Active Transport-friendly infrastructure will attract and encourage more Filipinos to use bicycles and walk to and from their destinations.
“Also making the environment in the city conducive for the people to walk. It’s so important. How can they walk if there is no infrastructure that will allow them to walk?” he pointed out.
“Active transportation, bikes, walking that’s very important. We have to build that and we have to plan for that. We just have to think out of the box and find ways like the EDSA Greenways. That’s one innovative way of helping our commuting public for those who want to walk.”
