Fix traffic or PH can lose
P6B daily by 2030 – JICA
The Japanese aid agency presents a plan where an efficient railway system makes up a
large part of the public transport mix to ease traffic in Mega Manila
Katerina Francisco
@kaifrancisco
Published 8:09 PM, February 28, 2014
Updated 8:03 PM, March 02, 2014
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TRAFFIC. The Japan International Cooperation Agency says traffic will cost the Philippines up to P6
billion a day by 2030. File photo by Romeo Gacad/AFP
MANILA, Philippines – Despite the Philippines’ better-than-expected economic growth,
the country stands to lose up to P6 billion a day by 2030 because of worsening traffic
jams.
A report by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) showed the costs of
traffic would continue to rise if adequate solutions to ease congestion are not
implemented.
JICA earlier said traffic congestion cost the Philippines P2.4 billion every day in 2012.
The Japanese aid agency also presented the components and expected impact of its
"dream plan" roadmap for improving the transportation system in the Philippines. The
plan, which outlines short-term and long-term developments, is estimated to cost the
government P2.3 trillion.
Cost of traffic
Studies on the cost of traffic are based on several factors, among them
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value of time lost due to delay
fuel costs
vehicle operating costs
impact on health
greenhouse gas emissions
University of the Philippines (UP) professor Jose Regin Regidor said the wasted
productivity hours amount to a monetary value that could be used for other things, such
as earning extra income or spending more time with the family.
“Instead of being at the office to start work, you’re stuck in traffic. Instead of being at
home to take care of the children, a parent spends his time stuck on the roads,” Regidor
said. “It’s hard to put a monetary value on that, but we’re trying to do that so people will
see that this is the amount we’re losing every day.”
More cars on the road also mean a rise in greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn
could lead to health costs. The JICA report said greenhouse gas emissions are
expected to increase to 5.72 million tons a year in 2030, compared to 4.7 million tons a
year in 2012.
Improving mass transit
MASS TRANSIT. Studies show the need for better public transportation options. AFP file photo
With demand for mass transit in Mega Manila likely to reach 7.4 million passengers a
day by 2030, JICA said there is a need for reliable mass transport services that can
adequately serve them.
Public transport accounts for 69% of the total number of trips taken in Metro Manila
every day. Currently, buses and jeepneys have the lion’s share in the mode of public
transportation, accounting for 71% of trips.
In its proposed roadmap for 2030, the Japanese agency stressed the need for an
integrated urban mass-transit network, with an efficient railway system making up a
large part of the public transport mix.
JICA said railways should ideally take up a 41% share of the overall transport system,
with jeeps and buses at 33% and cars at 26%.
Regidor added improving mass transit systems are “low-hanging fruits” that will be costeffective and able to serve millions of commuters.
‘Dream plan’
The P2.3-trillion infrastructure road map to decongest Metro Manila involves building
new infrastructure and improving traffic management.
This includes building new roads and expressways, improving accessibility to rail
systems, modernizing of bus and jeepney fleets, and improving traffic enforcement and
education.
If the plan is properly implemented, JICA said the Philippines stands to cut its traffic
losses, earn revenues, and reduce pollution from greenhouse gas emissions.
The Philippines can save as much as P1.2 trillion in 2030: P1.9 billion a day or P570
billion a year from time cost savings and P2.1 billion a day or P630 billion a year from
vehicle operating cost savings.
In addition to these savings, the government can also collect up to P119 billion a year in
toll and fare revenue.
Meanwhile, commuters can expect to save P18 a day and cut their travel time by 49
minutes per trip. – Rappler.com