To solve Metro Manila’s perennial traffic problem, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has decided to carry out a program to rid his city streets of illegally parked vehicles.
Various urban planners and experts said the gridlock in Metro Manila starts a domino-effect traffic jam all the way to EDSA, Quezon City.
As vehicles sought alternative routes to their destinations, they turned to various side streets, only to find these filled with parked vehicles of all kinds, reported The Manila Bulletin.
“Manila actually began its road-clearing project on major city streets, such as Quezon Blvd. where vehicles used to park almost the whole day beside the Quiapo Church and Quiapo Market. It will now extend the clean-up drive to secondary roads that serve as alternate routes,” Mayor Estrada was quoted by Manila Bulletin as saying.
For the renewed campaign, six teams have been formed for Manila’s six districts, each team of 25 to 30 men backed by two tow trucks and a mobile propaganda team. At 7 a.m., the teams will go around the neighborhoods to warn vehicle owners and tell them to clear the street within 10 minutes. Violators will be fined – from P3000 for a car up to P8000 for a big truck.
