EMONG'S JOURNALS

Since the coronavirus pandemic took hold in March, a cycling boom has been under way across the country. We are seeing an “explosion in cycling” in many cities, especially in Metro Manila where there is no option but to walk or bike. Cycling groups report that bicycle counts have significantly increased across Metro Manila compared to usual. In the two weeks into the general community quarantine (GCQ), they found the National Capital Region with the most growth of bicycle use. There is no doubt about it – cycling has become the fastest-growing travel mode in Metro Manila today. And with it is the creation of new on-road bike lanes in EDSA and in most parts of the city. It’s been a little over a week since the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has started lining up the 1.2 to 1.5-meter bicycle lane along EDSA as part of the plan to set up protected bike lanes in the metropolis. The agency urged motorists to recognize the at-grade bike lane set up on EDSA to accomm...

After placing Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) under the control of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), the government is now seriously mulling about bringing back the odd-even traffic scheme and carpooling back on the roads. In 1995, the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), commonly called number coding or the "odd-even" traffic scheme, restricted the types of vehicles that can use major public roads, including EDSA, based on the final digit of the vehicle's license plate during peak hours. Malacañang earlier announced plans to reintroduce the odd-even traffic scheme. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), on the other hand, is proposing to bar vehicles with fewer than three passengers from entering EDSA during rush hours. This is to encourage car-pooling among vehicle owners. However, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson assured the public that the car-pooling scheme will only be implemented once the ...

They'll flag you down, get your driver's license, then BOOM! Your citation ticket in your face after only 30 seconds! That's the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) response time in issuing you a ticket when you break a traffic rule while on EDSA. According to HPG director Chief Superintendent Arnold Gunnacao, his boys will implement the 30-second rule in apprehending erring motorists on EDSA to curb bribery in imposing traffic violations. The traffic cops will also undergo constant reshuffling of posts so they can avoid some unscrupulous operators and drivers from "familiarizing" with them. Gunnacao warned that HPG cops and motorists who will be engaged in bribery shall be immediately arrested. To be able to do this, our guess is he may deploy several secret marshals on the road to watch over the traffic cops and the motorists. In an article from ABS-CBN News , it said about 150 personnel from the HPG will be deployed in six foca...

MOVE  over MMDA, the cops are back in EDSA! After years of MMDA reign along EDSA, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) cops are now taking over on the busiest and most "traveled-upon" route in Metro Manila. It was a tough decision for President Benigno Aquino III who inked the approval on Tue, Sep 1. This after a serious discussion with government officials and various stakeholders about the worsening traffic situation in the metropolis. Here's the plan: The PNP-HPG will serve as the major player to clear the identified choke points along EDSA such as the intersections at Balintawak, Cubao, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Guadalupe, and Taft Avenue. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel will act as support group for the traffic policemen along with other agencies like the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The PNP-HPG is expected to implement stricte...