International Political Economy (IPEN11F) March 24 ,2018

Jamie S. Rosas Sir Jumel G. Estrañero

FS302

Analysis of Traffic Congestion in Metro Manila and its Implication to Philippine Political
Economy
 I. Introduction

Traffic Congestion occurs when number of vehicles exceeds road capacity which results
to longer travel times and dramatically slower movements.
Traffic Congestion is generally a huge dilemma in big and growing cities from all over
the world most especially in the Global South.
It is due to poorly planned road networks which causes the congestion. Rapid
population growth and poor traffic management. Lack of discipline from commuters and
drivers also trigger the traffic condition.
Traffic congestion in Metro Manila is identifies as the worst in the world after Rio de
Janeiro, Sao Paolo and Jakarta. In 2017 Metro Manila is said to be the third worst traffic
in Southeast Asia. Metro Manila is the core of economic, political and social activities of
the country. Therefore, it is important to address the issue in the best way possible. Due
to traffic congestion we are experiencing economic loss of 2.4 -2.6 billion pesos each
day and 3 billion pesos during rainy season. That is why the government should think
outside the box and be adaptive to change. There are agencies also who are willing to
help and work hand in hand with the government to exhaust possible solutions for the
issue. It is now a matter of strong political will and government intervention to solve the
traffic congestion in the country
II. A. Statement of the problem
The study aims to analyze the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and its
implication to Philippine Political economy. Its effect on the political and
economic stance of the Philippines and the solutions the government has
undergone.
Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions
1. What is Traffic Congestion?

2. What are the causes of Traffic congestion?

3. What are the effects of Traffic Congestion in the Political Economy of the
Philippines?

4. What are the solutions they undertake to alleviate if not stop the traffic
condition in Metro Manila?
B. Methodology
This part represents the procedures that will be carried out in the study
Qualitative research methodology was used for this study to discuss the analysis of
traffic congestion in Metro Manila and its implication to Philippine Political economy.
The Qualitative Documentary Analysis seeks to obtain relevant documentary evidences
to support and validate the facts stated in this research. The main objective of this task
is to strive balance in between objectivity and sensitivity of the documentary analysis.
Part of the methodology is to fully understand and evaluate the content of each
document to extract themes with connection to the topic itself.
Documentary Analysis is useful in getting relevant information from existing or readily
available documents. The first task of the researcher is to define its goals and objectives
of the study. After knowing and detailing its goals the researcher can gather as much
information as possible with a connection to the study. Then, afterwards the researcher
will summarize the important information’s obtained. And lastly after the summarization
of the information, the researchers can now contextualize the documents.
III. Review of the Related Literature
This part presents the review of related literature of the study in both foreign and local
studies, journals and articles. The material presented which are included in this
research are the studies, opinions, principle and theories of different people obtained to
relate and utilize in the study.
Foreign Literature
Traffic congestion and what to do about it
Traffic congestion on road networks is a fact of life in the modern world: Time is wasted
daily on a colossal scale. Things will probably get worse before getting better. What can
we do, what should we do about it? Individual efforts seem hopeless; collective action is
called for. We approach this as an economic problem from both the supply side and the
demand side. 1
Supply
Road capacities are one of the obvious possibility that should be discussed. Providing
road capacities however faces objection of one which is the similar issue in all economic
facilities for which demands varies periodically over the time of the day or over long
intervals. One of the important option is the increase of the supply of alternative modes
of transportation. It is only for the existing road networks such as buses, cars or taxis
but also for rail and subways too. Cost-benefit analysis must compare time and money
costs as well as the other factors that affects the transportation specifically the comfort
or discomfort it brings. It may also touch some international conventions and laws when
it comes to foreign travels and the supply of road capacity to the persons travelling.
Travelers from different origins to certain destinations might denied travel; laws are to
be considered.
Demand
When it comes to demand automobile ownership is one of the main issue or topic that is
given importance to. It touches the industries producing automobiles, the importance of
it and the reliance of automobile transportation becomes prominent. Most of the people
if not all is into car ownership or car purchasing when in fact it is discouraged by the

Beckmann Martin.(2013) Traffic congestion and what to do about it, Transportmetrica

1

B: Transport Dynamics, 1:1, 103-109, DOI: 10.1080/21680566.2013.780988

governments through special taxes. Car purchasing and ownership is also discouraged
through taxes or fuel. Also, direct legal prohibitions controlled the usage of road
networks through tolls and charges on the road.
In the end with all the delays and growth of population and economic matter. Politicians
and the public is in need to be well educated about the economics of transportation.
As autonomous vehicles near, local governments envision their role.

In the sprawling metroplex of Dallas, traffic congestion is a Texas-sized problem.

The region ranks 16th in the U.S. for congestion, according to Inrix, a transportation
analytics firm. Smart traffic management and autonomous vehicles could ease the
burden if local officials can successfully navigate the coming changes.
Except the problem is being tackled by a very small team.
According to (Thomas Bamonte , 2014 ) We're a department of one ,the automated
vehicles program manager for a council of governments in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
While the auto industry is plowing ahead on self-driving car r&d, cash-strapped state
and city governments are just beginning to ponder what role they will play. Many
automakers have said they will have self-driving cars on the roads in the early 2020s,
and the industry is pouring resources into pushing the technology ahead.
According to (Ronique Day ,2014) assistant secretary of transportation in Virginia Local
governments, which need to create the infrastructure to accommodate these changes,
are not the ones driving the conversations, "All of this lies with the private sector, they
truly are driving this, “Some cities and localities aren't planning for this deliberately right
now, but I don't think the private sector can do it without the government." 2

In Virginia state officials get to meet and exchange information with private companies.
The agency conducted a complete review of whole system operation in an autonomous
era. They are also considered the unpredictability of the process that’s why the agency
modelled how traffic patterns, business relocation and land usage could change in
several decades. Process involves past traffic engineering, public transit, capital
investment and more. It is most likely about how governments action and intervention in
dealing with traffic congestion. They use digital technologies here that’s why local
government and networking work hand in hand.
Congestion’s Economic Impacts: Evidence from US Metropolitan Regions
Traffic congestion alleviation has long been a common core transport policy objective,
but it remains unclear under which conditions this universal byproduct of urban life also
impedes the economy. While higher ADT per freeway lane appears to slow productivity
growth, there is no evidence of congestion-induced travel delay impeding productivity
growth. Results suggest that the strict policy focus on travel time savings may be
misplaced and, instead, better outlooks for managing congestion’s economic drag lie in

2Ahmed Shiraz, As autonomous vehicles near, local governments envision their

role." Aug.28 2017, p. 0020 Academic OneFile
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A502559721/GPS?u=lyceumph&sid=GPS&xid=c72d
8546.
prioritizing the economically most important trips (perhaps through road pricing) or in
providing alternative travel capacity to enable access despite congestion.3
Battling Congestion in Manila: The Edsa Problem
The urban density of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is one the highest of the
world and the rate of motorization far exceeds the street capacity to handle traffic. The
setting of the city between Manila Bay to the West and Laguna de Bay to the South
limits the opportunities to spread traffic from the south on many axes of circulation. Built
in the 1940’s, the circumferential highway EDSA, named after historian Epifanio de los
Santos, seems permanently clogged by traffic, even if the newer C-5 beltway tries to
provide some relief. Among the causes of EDSA perennial difficulties, one of the major
factors is the concentration of major shopping malls and business districts alongside
its course. A second major problem is the high number of bus terminals, particularly in
the Cubao area, which provide interregional service from the capital area but add to the
volume of traffic. While authorities have banned jeepneys and tricycle from using most
of EDSA, this has meant that there is a concentration of these vehicles on side streets,
blocking the smooth exit of cars.4

There are search for solutions to ease Manila Congestion. One of which is the Rail
transit in Manila which is said to be the smallest network of any major Asian country
except from Mumbai and Jakarta which have no metro rail transit. Another solution
would involve developing infrastructure and limiting the number of vehicles authorized at
any time. Bus policies were also in line with the solution through “bus segregation
scheme”. Lastly is the opening of the coastal integrated bus terminal. All the solutions
where all in line with the transportation system.

Urban Transport System and Congestion: A Case Study of Indian Cities

Traffic congestion is a public policy issue and solicits a policy response which can strike
a balance between urbanization and urban mobility. In the case of India, several policy
initiatives have been undertaken but have not yielded desired outcomes. This is
primarily because the focus has only been on public transport improvement measures,
while traffic demand management measures have largely been neglected.5

There are various policies and initiatives they undertake to improve urban mobility in
Asian Cities which aims to enhance and strengthen urban infrastructure. Some Asian
countries adopted some policies in terms of car ownership and restrictions. However,

3
Sweet Matthias, Traffic Congestion’s Economic Impacts: Evidence from US
Metropolitan Regions, Vol.51, issue 10, 2014, pages:2088-2110,
https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098013505883
4 Boquet Yves, Battling Congestion in Manila: The Edsa Problem, 2013, pp. 45-59,

http://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/b82_Chapter4.pdf
5
M. Absar Alam and Faisal Ahmed, Urban Transport System and Congestion: A Case
Study of Indian Cities, 2013.
with the growing cities t5he policy overlaps and distorted the implementation policy.
Asian countries have use several policies to tackle congestion problems. Most of the
people argue that car ownership or private vehicles is responsible for high level of
congestion in the cities. However, traffic congestion does not only occur due to the
increasing level of motorized but also occur due to the mismanagement of demand for
supply of transport services and lack of policy intervention is also mentioned.

Local Literature

The Philippine Traffic Problem: How the New Government plans to do it

“Carmageddon” — we all experience it these days. It’s the bane of every motorist and
commuter in the Philippines, and sadly, it’s getting extremely worse by the
second. Waze, the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app,
describes Metro Manila traffic as “the worst traffic on earth”. And we couldn’t agree
more. Where else can you sit for 2-3 hours inside a cramped vehicle, all with your trusty
mobile phone (or tablet) to fill in those wasted hours you could have spent doing
something else more productive? Only in the Philippines.6
Traffic is the most critical problem in the country right now. From different perspective
traffic causes much more than of what we think of, employee absences longer commute
time, added fuel and burden as well as stress to wasted man hours. Senator Ralph
Recto estimates that the Philippines suffer economic loss by 2.6 billion pesos each day
because of traffic congestion. Around 3 billion pesos economic loss when at the peak of
rainy season. More than that, Philippine loses around 0.8 % of its gross domestic
product because of traffic congestion. Also, we experienced productivity loss of 800
billion pesos each year.
Here are the plans laid out by the government.
A new bill filed by Senator Franklin Drilon will be valid for 2 years after its effectivity. It is
the Senate Bill No.11 Transportation Crisis Act of 2016, it allows the president to do
source bidding, direct contracting and such to cut only the red tape that comes with the
bidding on construction projects. The bill grants President Duterte the right to use his
“emergency powers” to fix the country worsening traffic situation.
Meanwhile According to (Arthur Tugade,2016) transport Secretary, laid out plans about
the cable car system which in lined with the system of Bolivia. He estimates that it will
only take a short timeline of one year and six months to operate it which is badly
needed by our country right now. He has already discussed with the same cable car
manufacturer that Bolivia used and is now discussing the specific location of it.

6 The Philippine Traffic Problem: How the New Government Plans to Solve It, Carmudi
Insider,August 19,2016, accessed March 7,2018
https://www.carmudi.com.ph/journal/philippine-traffic-problem-new-government-plans-solve/
Friendship Route is another solution laid by Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez which will
include private subdivisions located in Paranaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa. However
most homeowners opposed to the idea but there are also some subdivisions who
expressed their interest with the program.
Mega Manila Dream Plan
According to President Communication Operation Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. the
government has plans to create a “Mega Manila Dream Plan” or Roadmap for Transport
Infrastructure Development for not only Metro Manila but also its surrounding places
which includes Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Central Luzon and Quezon. The
“Dream Plan” was approved by National Economic and Development Authority Board in
June 2014 drafted by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

PHL Economy is losing Big time on traffic jam

The gridlock plaguing the streets of Metro Manila is costing the Philippine at least P2.4
billion a day, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) cited in a study it
released in September 2014 in conjunction with the National Economic Development
Authority (NEDA). A year later, NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan estimated the
economic loss from traffic jams at P3 billion a day, saying the amount is equivalent to
0.8 percent of the gross domestic product. Without intervention, the economic cost of
the daily gridlock is likely to reach P6 billion a day by 2030, JICA noted. "The impact of
traffic is horrendous. People spend so much time in getting a ride, getting to their
respective offices," Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo, director of the Center for Labor Justice of the
UP School of Labor and industrial Relations said in a phone interview on Friday. The
supposed 8-hour a day an employee must spend for work, rest, and socialization have
now been reduced because of the gridlock, Ofreneo said It's terrible. It says a lot about
the inability of the government to manage a public service," the director noted. "We
need a strong transport planning system. The government should play a big part in this,"
he said.7
According to The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the length of time a
worker spend on commuting has lessened the productivity of the workers. The workers
in Metro Manila travelled an average of three hours to work and another three to four
hours to travel back home.
For the past fourteen years of the Arroyo and Aquino Administration there has been no
dramatic changes implemented by the government to enhance the mass transport.
Because of the poor transport service, the TUCP has been calling both the government
and employers since 2012 to adjust and have flexible working time for both state and
private sector employees. It has also effects on consumption of fuel of the motorist

7
Cabuenas Jon Viktor, PHL Economy is losing Big time on traffic jam,GMA
news,December 11,2015 accessed March 3, 2017,
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/547564/phl-economy-is-losing-big-
time-on-traffic-jam/story/
caught in a “traffic jam”. The car consumes fuel at the rate of 0.1 to 0.6 liter per every 10
minutes which is noted by the MoneyMax from the data of the Green Action Center. If
the fuel costs ₱41 a liter, that’s around ₱24.60 per hour multiply that by the extra 700
hours spend in traffic in Metro Manila that translates at least ₱17,220 wasted fuels.
JICA prepares the so called “Dream Plan” which was approved by the National
Economic Development Authority in June. JICA hopes to work with the government
implementing some of the ideas to help mobility, quality of life in Metro Manila and its
surrounding areas. The dream plan will help the country to save ₱2.4 billion per day
which is the estimated economic and financial tosses to traffic congestion. The JICA
committed ₱93 billion pesos loan just to fund the North-South Commuter Railway
project in our country. In total Japan will lend ₱ 93.457 billion to finance the construction
of the first phase of the railway project which stretches from 36.7 km from Malolos
Bulacan to Tutuban Manila.
JICA recommends metro option for Manila
New projects, such as the proposed North-South subway line are crucial in supporting
the current pace of economic growth, he added. Iwata said the proposed subway should
be part of several infrastructure deals the government must implement, like the
expansion of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 to Cavite and the extension of the LRT 2 line.
The government recently awarded the LRT-1 Cavite extension project under its public-
private partnership program. The project is expected to be completed by 2019.
Economic losses that could be attributed to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila today
was estimated at PHP 2.4bn (USD 54M), JICA noted in its study. That figure could hit
PHP 6bn (USD 134M) a day by 2030 if the government failed to intervene. Preliminary
analysis in the study showed that the average low-income group households must
spend no less than 20 percent of their monthly household income for transport. Without
intervention, traffic demand will likely increase by 13 percent in 2030, and transport cost
may be 2.5 times higher, JICA said. 8
The Japan International Cooperation agency said that the Philippine government should
consider other mass transit solutions to address the worsening traffic congestion in
Metro Manila. According to (Shuzuo Iwata,2014) chair of Japan’s Almec Corperation
and the JICA’s project manager, a viable solution of subway rail line on Edsa would not
be able to cope with rapidly increasing demand. That is why they are pushing the
“dream plan” to decongest Metro Manila by 2030. Using MRT 3 will cost you a lot of
time, you need wait for so long, longer than the travel time. Subway system is one-part
solution which is estimated between $ 600 million and $700 million, and may be built in
5 years. However according to (Shuzuo Iwata, 2014) it is not expensive for the
Philippine Economy, the government and private sector can finance that.

Slowly does it; Traffic in the Philippines’ Capital.

Manila transport plans have been terrible. Its first fault is its failure to build an extensive,

8JICA recommends metro option for Manila." Tunnels & Tunnelling International, Oct.
2014, p. 19. Academic OneFile.accessed March 7,2018,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A389259653/GPS?u=lyceumph&sid=GPS&xid=a10c
8c62
high volume public transport system. The 7 metropolitan railway lines have been
planned but only three were built since early 1980’s. The fruit of radical liberalization in
1990’s showed how too many buses were present when on the other hand Manila has
too few trains. Edsa alone is served by 266 bus companies and the others operated
somewhere in Manila. And the biggest reason in Manila now is that a lot of people owns
a car or drive

The biggest reason Manila’s roads move so slowly is that so many people now drive.
The economy of the Philippines grew by 5.8% last year, and a swelling middle class is
buying lots more cars. Driving, nicer and often quicker than public transport, is
encouraged by minimum-parking rules, imported from America, which oblige developers
to provide lots of parking spaces. Cars are thought to carry about 30% of people in the
metropolis but account for 72% of traffic.9

Manila should be both clever and fast to start moving against the worsening traffic
congestion. A combination of fast growth and dismissal planning got into the
congestion. We need change.

Smart Transport System: The Role of Technology in the Efficient Management of

Traffic Situations in EDSA
Next to Climate Change, the most pressing problem lurking on the Philippine horizon
nowadays is Traffic congestion. Both public transport commuters and private car
owners are experiencing the horrendous effect of a snail-paced traffic engulfing almost
all main thoroughfares in Metro Manila. Travelling within the Metropolis, from one city to
another is no longer a joy ride but an “ordeal” that is causing mental, emotional and
physical fatigue to travelers. It can be considered as a “man-made disaster” increasing
daily in gravity and victimizing young and old in all walks of life.10

Traffic congestion is prevalent and it causes problems and severe impacts to different
sphere of life in totality. It has an impact on economy, despite the economic growth
Philippines is at risk of losing ₱ 6 billion a day by 2030 because of the worsening traffic.
Impact on health is also part of the gridlock which has negative impact on environment
and general health of the population. 70 to 80% of air pollution in Metro Manila is
caused by motor vehicles and only 20-30% is caused by industries emission and others.
The traffic congestion we are facing and dealing with today is also contributing factor to
climate. In social aspect the negative impact is on the workers productivity and student’s
performance in school. Traffic especially during rainy season cause tardiness to both
employees and students. Also, traffic congestion is relatively contributor to crime and

9
The Economist: Slowly does it; Traffic in the Philippines’ Capital. 418 Vol. Economist
Newspaper Ltd, 02/27/2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21693631-rising-car-ownership-and-appall ing-
transport-policies-block-roads-slowly-does-it
10
Dr. Benjamin G. Quito,Dr. Villamor S. Quebral,Dr. Edna C Aquino. “Smart Transport
System: The Role of Technology in the Efficient Management of Traffic Situations in
EDSA”. Vol.5 No. 1 2016, http://www.rtu.edu.ph/ojs/index.php/RAJ/article/view/2
poverty for example are the traffic related violence. Causes of traffics are, first is the
lack of discipline, second laxity in enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, third the
volumes of vehicles which is the major cause of traffic congestion in Metro Manila,
fourth poor and inadequate infrastructure, fifth need for new laws that will support the
implementation of recommendation of solutions to traffic congestion. Laws of reduction
pertains to the phasing out of the old vehicles and acquisition for new vehicles and the
dream plan of JICA. The project proposal is anchored on three major principles; leaders
political will, integration and interoperability. Political will is a major factor in solving the
present traffic problem. Our government officials should be vying for solutions and
implementing those effectively. They need to think outside the box and be adaptive to
change that resistant to it.

IV. Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of the Data

This Chapter discusses about the information’s that the researcher gathered to answer
the queries stated on the paper itself.
Traffic is one of the major dilemmas that Philippines is facing today especially in the
Metro Manila which is the center of most industries, universities and other facilities.
There are many consequences as well as causes that will be enumerated here in the
study itself. The role of the government will also be expose with the help of different
agencies to solve the traffic congestion in the country specifically, Manila. This is an
overview of the economic and political stance in the context of this issue.
What is Traffic Congestion?
Traffic congestion occurs when number of vehicles exceeds road capacity, resulting in
longer travel times and dramatically slower movements. Traffic congestion is also called
traffic jam.

Metro Manila
Metro Manila is said to be the world’s most densely populated city, comprising 12 million
people which makes the 13% of the country’s population that continues to grow. Having
42,857 people per square meter, this density is much higher than that of Mumbai having
23,000 people per square meter, Paris having 20,150 people per square meter and
Tokyo having 10,100 people per square meter.
Here are some studies and surveys depicting the stand of Metro Manila’s traffic
congestion.
In 2015 Metro Manila has been reported as the “worst city traffic in the world” after Rio
de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Jakarta. And the Philippines is the 9th worst place to drive.
This is from the result of the first Global Driver Satisfaction Index (GSDI) by the traffic
and navigation app Waze. GSDI based the study from six factors:
1. Traffic travel by frequency and severity of traffic jams
2. Road quality and infrastructure
3. Driver safety based on accidents
4. Road hazards and weather
5. Driver services like access to gas station and easy parking
6. Socioeconomic, access cars and impact of gas prices
Meanwhile, last year 2017, Metro Manila is said to be the third worst traffic in the
Southeast Asia which is according to a study called “Unlocking Cities” done by Global
firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
The survey was done from September to October covering around 300 respondents
from Southeast Asia countries from which the study is commissioned by another ride-
sharing app, Uber, which looks at the impacts of the ride sharing in Southeast Asia.
Countries Minutes stuck in traffic

Bangkok, Thailand 72 minutes (worst)

Jakarta, Indonesia 68 minutes

Manila, Philippines 66 minutes (third)

It is important to study the Traffic Congestion focusing in the Metro Manila because
Metro Manila is the core for all the activities relative to political, economic and social
activities in the country. That’s why we need to keep the city and country operating at its
best.

What are the causes of Traffic congestion?

It is important to know the causes of the prevalent problem of Traffic jams in the
Philippines especially in Metro Manila

Volume of vehicles is the major cause of traffic congestion which is a fruit of the
economic growth in the Philippines wherein most of the middle class is buying a lot
more cars.

Lack of discipline is one massive factor why we experience every day. Most drivers and
even commuters cannot follow simple instruction or rules.

Another cause, in relation to abovementioned cause is the lack of enforcement of traffic

rules and regulations. It should be strengthened otherwise it will just be neglected.

Poor and inadequate infrastructure is also the cause of traffic jams in the country.

Lastly is the need of new laws, policies and regulations that will support the
implementation of the solution for traffic congestion.
What are the effects of Traffic Congestion in the Political Economy of the
Philippines?
This is the second query of this study which look for the effects of traffic congestion in
the political economy of the Philippines. It has two sides of the coin, the economic
stance and political stance that are both affected by the issue.
It has a greater impact on economic status of the Philippines. Despite the economic
growth, Philippines is at risk of losing 6 billion pesos a day by the year 2030 because of
the worsening traffic. But we should not set aside that each day the Philippines suffers
from economic loss of 2.6 billion pesos up to 3 billion pesos during rainy season. More
than that, Philippines also loses 0.8% of its gross domestic product and productivity loss
of 800 billion pesos each year.
For the past Administration comprised of about fourteen years, Arroyo and Aquino’s
administration. There have been no dramatic changes implemented by the government
to enhance mass transport, which if fixed well will help to alleviate the traffic congestion.
Strong transport planning system is much needed.
The traffic congestion speaks more of the inability of government to manage its services
for the people and country. With the economic loses and productivity loss, the
government should play a big role on this. This is a matter of how government action
and intervention will take its place to deal with traffic congestion. Law enforcement and
effective policies as well as investments are the components that should be strengthen.

What are the solutions they undertake to alleviate if not stop the traffic condition
in Metro Manila?
With the current Traffic situation in Metro Manila
The government has laid out plans to solve it
Transportation
First is the Senate Bill No. 11 which is the Transportation Crisis Act of 2016 which
grants President Rodrigo Duterte the right to use “emergency power” to fix the
worsening traffic situation within and outside Metro Manila. The bill was filed by Senator
Franklin Drilon, which will be valid for 2 years after its effectivity. With this bill, it allows
the President to do source bidding, direct contracting, repeat order, shopping and
negotiated procurement. Also, the President will be allowed to restructure Department
of Transportation with its other agencies like LTO, LTFRB, and MMDA. However even
after a year the bill was filed, the legislation has yet to be passed. In the House of
Representative, the bill is known as proposed Traffic Crisis Act of 2016 (HB 4334) while
its counterpart in Senate is Traffic Congestion Crisis Act of 2016 (SB 1284) in which
both bills are on second reading. (Camus,2017)
Cable Cars
Second is the use of cable cars which is according to the transport secretary Arthur
Tugade. The cable car system will be in lined with the system of Bolivia. The secretary
estimates that it will only take a span of one year and six months which is just a short
timeline that our country needed. But the cable car system according to some
transportation experts is not sure of it as the solution for the traffic congestion. For a
research fellow at the National Center for Transportation Studies of the University of the
Philippines Jose Regin Regidor there are still factors to consider. The capacity and the
demand was the first line in the several factors to consider. Another factor also would be
in the wind strength, for the cable cars will be high up in the air. Chances are fear factor
to the passengers of the cable cars which may also cause discomfort for them. Up to
this point in time, no cable cars yet to be built anywhere in the Philippines. It may be a
good solution but may also cause future problems. It is in need for further study and
requires a strong foundation.
Friendship Route
Friendship Route wants to be implemented by the Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez to
lessen the traffic jams along the major roads in the country. Private subdivisions are
subject to be able to implement the Friendship Route, subdivisions such as the ones
located in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa. However, a lot of homeowners
opposed to this idea but some expressed their interest for the program.
Dream Plan
The government has plans to create a Mega Manila Dream Plan or a Roadmap for
Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its nearby areas. Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) proposed and drafted the “Dream Plan” and
was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority. The plan was
consisting of a short term and medium to long term projects. It was organized into 5
components.
1. At Grade Urban Roads
2. Expressways Network
3. Urban and Suburban Rail Network
4. Road Based Public Transport
5. Traffic and Management Strengthening
short term programs for traffic management strengthening
- Intersection Capacity
- Traffic Control Centers
- Pedestrian Crossings
- Intelligent Parking
- Incident Detection
- Signal Control Systems
- Travel Time Prediction
- Road Maintenance Schedule and Monitoring
- Transport Priority
 - Bus Schedule Assistance

The project proposal is anchored on three major principles; leaders political

will, integration and interoperability, thus having a solution is never enough
when implementation is not that strong. As it is mentioned in the second
query the action of the government really matters, the government will play a
vital role for this issue.

Data Analysis Data Display

Observation Selecting
- Give
-Documents -Focusing meanings

- Articles -Simplifying -Confirming

-Interpreting

Data
Collection

V. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

Summary
The information’s were gathered through different documents, articles and
study online related to the Traffic Congestion in Metro Manila. The Qualitative
Documentary analysis methodology was used to point out and analyze
different causes, effects and solutions for the issue. It also gives the
implication of traffic congestion to economy, politics and social activities.

There have been studies made to depict the stand of Metro Manila’s traffic
Congestion in Southeast Asia and in the world. Metro Manila is said to be the
“worst city traffic” in the world. The traffic congestion in Metro Manila did not
just sprout somewhere it has causes too. The growing number of vehicles
which is the fruit of economic growth is one of the major cause. The lack of
discipline of both drivers and commuters are also one of the main catalyst of
congestion. Poor infrastructure and transport system that cause gridlock and
lastly is the need of strong law and enforcement of it.

That’s why government and other agencies exhaust all the possible solutions
for the worsening traffic condition of Metro Manila and came up with plans to
alleviate the worsening traffic congestion. A new bill for emergency power of
the president, Cable car system, alternative route and the dream plan.
 Conclusion
The Traffic Congestion in Metro Manila is one of the major dilemmas of our
country. It has impacts on economy, politics and social activity of the country.
Economic loss and productivity loss is one of the result of the traffic
congestion that we are facing. Though plans are laid out, the agencies willing
to help and other authorities stressed out that strong government and leaders
political will to intervene is a major factor to solve the issue. Strong
enforcement of laws and regulations is needed. Without thinking outside the
box, we cannot be able to solve the traffic congestion. Authorities should
implement and adapt to change. Operate and test the solutions and plans that
they made. We cannot be just stuck on plans, we need to work on those and
turn plans into accomplishments.

Recommendation
- Further studies on how to make the solutions viable. Because the study plans
were already laid out, but most of it are not executed properly. If they can be
able to identify the loopholes of each solutions and refurbish those then
probably we can come up with viable solutions to be used.

- Take into actions the studies that have been done. Studies are conducted for
us to be knowledgeable and aware of what is happening on a certain
phenomenon.

- Strong political will for the enforcement of the rules and regulations.

- As a citizen they need to be fully informed of the pros and cons of their
actions toward rules and regulations in terms of traffic. They should not forget
the duties as a citizen to help the government and abide by the laws to solve
the problem.
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