EDSA busway expanded for ASEAN Summit; slower metro traffic expected

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Despite the opening of the ASEAN Summit being several days away, motorists could feel the effects of the event with the recent widening of the EDSA Busway,

In a 24 Oras report from Oscar Oida on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) asked the public for patience as traffic is expected to become heavier in the metropolis.

The slower traffic flow has been attributed to the widening of the EDSA busway, causing surprise and confusion to motorists. Some drivers said the signages are too small, while others said that some lanes do not have signs at all.

The MMDA explained that these changes were due to preparations for the high-level meetings from November 16 to 18 in parts of Metro Manila.

“You have to bear with us lang, kasi may mga adjustments na ginagawa na minsan nagkakaroon ng confusion like yung ng movement ng barriers, minove natin sa second lane…tapos may ilan pang road repairs na ginagawa ngayon,” MMDA Chair Romando Artes said.

(You have to just bear with us, because there are adjustments in what is being done, there is some confusion like in the movement of barriers, we moved it to the second lane… then there are some road repairs being done now.)

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTR) said that these lanes are to be used by the convoys of the participants in the summit.

“We have to accomodate po kasi yung convoy ng ating mga delegates, so kung yung bus lane na one lane lang po yung gagamitin, nila di natin ma-accommodate so we have to adjust,” said DOTR Assistant Secretary Manuel de Guzman III.

(We have to accomodate po kasi yung convoy ng ating mga delegates, so if it is just the one bus lane to be used, we cannot accommodate so we have to adjust.)

To prevent further confusion, de Guzman said that they have requested the Department of Public Works and Highways to put early warning signs and additional signages for road reblocking work to prevent any accidents.

The MMDA said it will not close any roads in Metro Manila other than the ones close to the Philippine International Convention Center, where the summit proper will be held. There will be also be stop-and-go schemes as delegates travel to and from destinations.

“Not even five minute na pinatitigil yung sasakyan, basta pagkadaan naman ng convoy papayagan na rin yung mga sasakyan na tumakbo,” Artes said.

(Not even five minutes will the cars be asked to stop, as long as the convoys pass, we will allow the cars to run.)

Meanwhile, the DOTR announced that 50 more buses will traverse the EDSA busway in preparation for the Summit, and in preparation for the Christmas season.

“Medyo bumagal, at nag-traffic, at humaba ang pila sa may Megamall area, Ortigas and Megamall area.. Fifty buses initially ngayong November pero magdadagdag pa rin tayo ulit ng December,” DOTR Secretary Vince Dizon said.

(It got a bit slower, and there is a longer line in the Megamall area, Ortigas and Megamall area… Fifty buses initially this November but this will be increased again in December.)

More than 30,000 people are expected to benefit from the additional buses.

The MMDA is expecting that traffic will become heavier in Metro Manila due to people going on vacation after November 16 to 18 was declared a holiday for the ASEAN Summit. —Jean Mangaluz/RF, GMA News