By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Koko Pimentel emphasized that imposing a fee on motorists using EDSA is not the solution to easing traffic congestion.

“Hindi solusyon ang pangongolekta ng bayad sa mga motorista na gagamit ng EDSA. Ang kailangan natin ay mas maayos na mass transport system, hindi dagdag gastos para sa mga Pilipino na araw-araw nang nahihirapan sa trapik,” Pimentel said.

He criticized the proposal to charge vehicles during peak hours, calling it an “anti-motorist and anti-commuter measure” that would unfairly burden the public.

The senator pointed out that many private car owners are left with no choice but to drive due to the unreliable and inefficient public transportation system.

“Walang choice ang maraming Pilipino kundi gumamit ng kotse dahil siksikan at kulang ang tren, bus, at jeep. Tama ang gobyerno, kung gusto nating maibsan ang trapiko sa EDSA, dapat ayusin muna natin ang transport system at imprastraktura. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na kapag nagawa natin pagandahin ang mass transport system, pahihirapan naman natin ang commuters na gamitin ang EDSA,” he added.

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MANILA – On Thursday, February 6, Senators called for smarter traffic solutions instead of the proposed congestion fees for EDSA. They argued that addressing the root causes of traffic should be the government’s priority, including improving public transportation and promoting remote work, rather than adding financial burdens to motorists.

Senator Joel Villanueva, author of the Work-from-Home Law (Republic Act No. 11165), emphasized that fully implementing telecommuting could reduce the need for daily commuting, helping to ease traffic without extra costs. “Instead of penalizing motorists with congestion fees, why not maximize the potential of the Work-from-Home Law? It reduces traffic, promotes work-life balance, and boosts productivity,” Villanueva said in a statement.

He stressed that the real solution lies in improving public transport and reducing unnecessary travel, which RA 11165 was designed to support.

Senator Grace Poe echoed these sentiments, saying traffic management reforms should come before any road pricing on EDSA. She noted that enhancing public transportation would encourage commuters to leave their cars at home, while clearing secondary roads of obstructions could provide viable alternatives to EDSA.

Poe also warned that implementing congestion fees without adequate traffic solutions could worsen the burden on already struggling motorists, who are also facing high fuel prices and inflation. “Public consultation is essential. Without real solutions, congestion fees will only add to the hardships,” she added.

Both senators stressed the need for policies that address the underlying causes of traffic, focusing on sustainability, equity, and improving the overall commuter experience.

The congestion fee proposal is part of the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan for Metro Manila, which aims to reduce traffic on EDSA, a 23-kilometer stretch notorious for daily gridlock. The plan suggests charging fees for vehicles using EDSA during peak hours in an effort to reduce congestion and promote public transportation.

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SUGATAN ang isang driver ng sasakyan matapos na mabagsakan ng poste ng solar power street light na naganap sa Quezon Avenue, Quezon City kahapon.

Batay sa paunang ulat ang biktima ay nakilalang si Ariel Managaytay, 29 taong gulang at nakatira sa 88 Camia St., Diliman Old Capitol Site, East Avenue, Quezon City.

Nabatid sa report na naganap ang nasabing insidente dakong alas 3 ng hapon sa Edsa corner Quezon Avenue, harapan ng gusali ng DILG.

Napag-alaman na ang nasabing poste ay nakakabit sa taas ng fly over at dahil sa sobrang lakas ng hangin ay bumagsak ito at ang mga natamaan ay isang Fortuner at isang utility van na L-300 na may plakang NBN-2830 na minamaneho ng biktimang si Managaytay.

Agad na isinugod sa pagamutan ang biktima na nagtamo ng pinsala sa ulo at braso para malapatan ng lunas.

Napag-alaman na isang Junjun Lim na taga-Masbate ang contractor ng Solar lights sa Edsa at kasusyo nito ang construction company ng isang nagngangalang Malou Lipana na ang asawa ay opisyal ng Commission on Audit at bayaw naman ang mismong general manager Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay patuloy pang iniimbestigahan ang naturang insidente at sinisilip na rin ng ilang anti-graft advocacy group kung may nangyaring katiwalian sa proyekto tulad ng overpricing ng materials pero low quality ang pagkagawa o pagkalatag ng mga ilaw na siyang dahilan ng aksidente.