Another proposal to

consider for EDSA

THE latest proposal to help solve
I the old Epifanio delos Santos Ave.
Sen. Francis Tolentino the next
day said traffic management is not
(EDSA) traffic problem was made the the job of Secretary Tugade. All
other day by Caloocan Rep. Edgar this time, it seems, no orficial has
Erice who called for its exclusive use thought of drawing up such a master
by buses.during the rush hours. From plan, choosing to wait for Congress
6 to 9 a. m. and from 6 to 9 p.m., only to grant emergency powers to allow
buses carrying working commuters short-cut solutions. The MMDA
would be allowed, until completion of proposed a solution to ban provincial
the elevated NLEX-SLEX connecting buses, but it seems it does not have
highway, construction of the Metro this authority as bus franchises are
subway, and the rehabilitation of approved by another agency, the
M RT-3. Land Transportation and Franchising
' This proposal goes against the Regulatory Board.
earlier plan of the Metro Manila. But many proposals have been
Development Authority (MMDA) that made, the latest being
would ban provincial buses from Congressman Erice. It mai that be time
of
EDSA, leaving the avenue to private to stud}^€tl of them, choose
the ones
.cars and city shutHes during the that can be iarried out even
rush hours, There have been other and list other proposals that now,
proposals - one-way south for EDSA emergency powers need
to carry out.
with C-3 one-way north, clearing of Senator Poe's committee is more
new north -south'routes now clogged likely to agree to such a
by parked vehicles, and scheduiing plan with spectfic itemized master steps,
of night shifts for pletro workers. which it can examine and study and
The Senate Committee on public perhaps propose amendments
Services headed by Sen. Grace It is not likely to simply agree to.
Poe has been holding hearings on blanket proposal, without details. to a
various EDSA proposals and in last needs to have its say, it needs It
w-eek's session, she asked Secretary make its contribution. to
of Transportation Arthur Tugade to be true to the hallowed It would not
present a master plan, instead of of independence and. tradition
just asking for emergency powers achi6vement
of the Philippine if it simply
that could be abused like martial says yes to a plan Senate
with no details for
law. action, only powers.
' P(ee?