00:00President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is cold due to the increase of congestion fees in EDSA.
00:08Let's see some of the countrymen who were forced to leave EDSA bus carousel.
00:13Isaiah Mirafuentes is in the center of the news.
00:19EDSA bus carousel is used by Christians every day.
00:23It's a big deal for him because from the monument to the carousel, he only stepped on it for 20 minutes.
00:30So if EDSA will ever leave the busway, it's a big privilege for him.
00:35It's hard for us to travel again. As a commuter, that's all I can do.
00:43Metro Manila Development Authority or MMDA is also considering the removal of EDSA bus lane.
00:49This is what MMDA Chair Romando Artes said to increase the capacity of the MRT train.
00:55And this is also what they see as one of the solutions to ease the length of EDSA.
01:00We can free up space in EDSA. Imagine, one additional lane that can be used by cars.
01:09Not because we are car-centric, but definitely that can be eased.
01:14But Artes said, is it necessary to study hard before it can be implemented?
01:19I don't agree because it's easier. The MRT is cheaper and more convenient for commuters.
01:26Of course, as a commuter, I'm also not in favor of it.
01:30Of course, we have alternative vehicle use, but since I'm a commuter, I also need the bus.
01:40And since it's easy to use.
01:43And they don't have a possible date on when it will happen.
01:46But according to the Department of Transportation, they believe that EDSA bus lane is still one of the most effective transportation.
01:55In 2024, the number of EDSA bus lanes reached 63 million.
02:00And it has 177,000 average passengers every day.
02:05Meanwhile, the plan to reduce congestion charges for motorists was discussed in the Supreme Court.
02:12This is the type of payment that if you enter a city, you need to pay.
02:17This is also the solution to reduce traffic in EDSA.
02:22If you enter, you will be charged.
02:26Initially, it was proposed in EDSA.
02:29But our president himself said that it can only be done if there is an alternative.
02:36If our mass transport is more efficient.
02:39Because if you charge and our countrymen don't have an option to use mass public transport
02:49because the line is long.
02:52It's not yet timely to implement such an amendment.
02:59This is the recommendation of the Metro Manila Development Authority or MMDA to President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.
03:06Because this is a way for motorists to choose to use public transportation.
03:13But according to him, this is what the president wants.
03:17Because for the president, public transportation in the country needs to be well-organized first.
03:22Before implementing congestion charges.
03:24This means that this amendment needs to be implemented.
03:28And it will need a thorough consultation and study.
03:32This is Zion Mila Fuentes for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
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