Newly appointed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr said on Tuesday, January 12, that constructing elevated bus ramps could help solve the bottleneck at U-turn slots along EDSA.

In the government’s Laging Handa briefing, Abalos was asked about a report saying the Philippines has the worst traffic congestion in Southeast Asia.

The new MMDA chairman said congestion could be attributed to the growing population and the increasing number of vehicles on the road.

Abalos credited San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang for opening the Skyway 3, which connects the North Luzon Expressway to Makati City in 30 minutes.

Abalos said the MMDA now has to focus on bus lanes. He proposed elevated bus ramps as a way of easing the buildup at U-turn slots.

“Pagdating po sa U-turn slots, ang project dito will be an elevated bus ramp. Basta pagdating sa kanto ng U-turn, kung mayroon kang elevation [para sa bus], ay doon tataas. Makakapag U-turn na in these sensitive corners,” Abalos said.

(For U-turn slots, the project needed here will be elevated bus ramps. When you arrive at the U-turn, if there’s elevation for buses, then they can use that instead. Motorists can use the U-turn for these sensitive corners.)

The new MMDA chair said they will work with the Department of Transportation for his idea.

“I hope that this will be a solution here,” he said.

If the plan works, Abalos said motorcycles should be on the rightmost lane, while a bike lane can be designated if possible.

According to the 2020 midyear report by Numbeo, the Philippines is among the countries with the worst traffic congestion in the world, ranking 9th. In Southeast Asia, the Philippines is followed by Indonesia.

Abalos, a former Mandaluyong City mayor, was appointed to the MMDA after the agency’s chairman, Danilo Lim, died. Abalos took his oath before President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, January 11. – Rappler.com