MANILA — Amid continued oil price hikes, traffic volume on EDSA fell by eight percent, the Metro Manila Development Authority said yesterday. The agency also exempted oil tankers and vehicles delivering basic commodities from truck bans and number coding schemes.
MANILA, Philippines — The Metro Manila Development Authority reported a reduction of five to eight percent in vehicles passing through EDSA since starting the behavioral count last Monday. MMDA general manager Nicolas Torre III told reporters at the Metro Manila Council press conference that this equates to 20,000 to 30,000 vehicles, which other motorists may not noticeably feel amid persistent congestion. > “We saw a reduction of five to eight percent since we started the behavioral count last Monday of the vehicles passing through EDSA,” Torre said. The MMDA is conducting an ongoing study to determine the reasons, particularly as the Middle East conflict remains unresolved and affects the gasoline supply chain. “We will review the data first why this happened,” he added. Additionally, the MMDA announced exemptions from the truck ban and number coding scheme for oil tankers and vehicles delivering basic commodities. “We understand the needs of our people and our situation right now is beyond normal. So, we are alleviating it through these directives,” Torre stated. MMDA chairman Don Artes explained that the resolution addresses requests from the Department of Energy and Department of Trade and Industry to speed up the transport of petroleum products and essential goods. > “This would ensure the unimpeded movement of energy sources and ease the mobility of goods amid the rising price of fuel products,” Artes said. The MMDA is coordinating with the DTI to identify qualifying essential goods. The resolution takes effect immediately after publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
