Gov't to hold traffic summit; Marcos urges public participation

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. invited the public to take part in the upcoming traffic summit and join the discussions in finding ways to improve the traffic situation.

In a YouTube vlog posted on Sunday, Marcos said that while long-term infrastructure projects are underway, the government is still looking to provide commuters and motorists immediate relief from traffic congestion.

Concerned government agencies and local government units will discuss in detail the steps to be taken that would address the perennial traffic woes, he said.

"Makilahok din kayo kahit sa comments section para malaman namin ang iba niyong mga idea at mga naiisip ninyo," the President said.

(Join us through the comment section so we can hear your ideas and suggestions.)

The townhall meeting-style summit will be at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday.

In his almost six-minute vlog, Marcos said developing and improving mobility in Metro Manila's nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, and Cavite are also among the priorities to address the traffic problems.

Marcos, however, asked for understanding as large-scale infrastructure projects take time to be completed.

He also appealed to the commuters and motorists to observe discipline and obey traffic laws.

"Ang higit nating kakulangang mga Pilipino sa daan ay ang disiplina. Dapat susunod tayo sa traffic rules. Para tayong mauubusan lagi ng kalye. Bago man ang kalye, kung luma pa rin ang ugali natin, eh wala rin," Marcos said.

(What we Filipinos lack the most on the road is discipline. We must follow the traffic rules. It's like we'll always run out of roads. Even if the road is new, if our habits are still old, then nothing will change.)

"Ang pagbibigayan sa daan ay kailangan pa nating ipaalala sa bawat isa at sa ating mga sarili. Ang Bagong Pilipino ay disiplinado, sumusunod sa batas trapiko, nagbibigay sa kapwa at higit sa lahat hindi naghahari-harian sa daan," he added.

(Giving way is something we still need to remind each other and ourselves. A new Filipino is disciplined, obeys the traffic laws, gives way to others, and above all, does not act as if he owns the road.)

Likewise, the Chief Executive acknowledged the benefits and effectiveness of flexible work arrangements employed by the private sector here and abroad at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He mentioned the utilization of the work-from-home setup and four-day workweek scheme, which he said can help address the traffic situation. (PNA)