Senator Bam Aquino urged the government’s task force on traffic to complete all the needed intervention to improve traffic condition before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November and the onset of Christmas season.

“With the creation of the task force, they have started to exhaust all interventions to ease our traffic situation in the soonest possible time. Pa-isa-isang intervention para malaman nila if these are effective,” Sen. Bam said during an interview.

Among the planned intervention are staggered work hours, high-occupancy vehicle lane or car pooling, Christmas lanes and truck ban, which was re-implemented starting yesterday (Tuesday).

 The senator said the establishment of Mabuhay lanes are crucial because they will be used as alternate routes during the APEC Summit and the Christmas season.

“In the next few weeks, titingnan kung kailangan pa iyong ibang mga intervention para maihabol sa APEC at pasko,” added Aquino, who filed a resolution seeking to formulate strategies and solutions to address the worsening traffic conditions in Metro Manila.

Sen. Bam assured that the task force, headed by Secretary to the Cabinet Rene Almendras, will consult the public through hearings before implementing any move.

During the Senate hearing, Sen. Bam said the task force is now focused on moving people faster by improving the movement of high-occupancy vehicles like buses and train.

“Ang isang bus na may dalawang kotse ang haba, can fit up to sixty people. Mas sulit talaga na bigyang pansin iyong bus at tren. Iyon naman talaga ang pangangailangan,” said Sen. Bam. 

Sen. Bam also stressed that the government must put premium on improving the mass transport system to improve traffic in Metro Manila.