MANILA — Senator Richard Gordon said on Friday that the public should not be penalized for being entrepreneurial in addressing the problems of  monstrous traffic, as it is a perennial problem in Metro Manila and in other cities in the country.

Gordon cited reports that Metro Manila’s traffic congestion problem may be the worst in the world.

“Our current traffic woes leave the public without or with very limited choices. Hence, they turn to motorcycle taxis – because they are faster and cheaper too. Motorcycle taxis are used in other countries too, like Indonesia,” said Gordon.

Gordon said the public must be afforded choice on how they will do their daily commute to ease the stress they suffer.

However, he underscored  the need to provide a legal framework that would allow motorcycle taxis to work but can be adequately regulated with emphasis on safety, comfort and security of the passengers.

Gordon stressed the need for drivers to wear helmets and jackets printed with the driver’s name and the company name.

He said insurance should also be provided.

Gordon also cautioned that allowing motorcycle taxis to operate is only an interim solution, adding that the focus should be on the real solution to the traffic congestion, which is to decongest Manila.

“We can decongest Manila by dispersing industries to the countryside, spreading development and economic opportunities by attracting investors to nearby provinces such as those in Central Luzon, and maximizing the use of available infrastructures such as airports, seaports and a network of highways to expedite movement of goods, raw materials and manpower,” Gordon said.

With the vast idle lands in the region, he said we can create zones for investment, industries, factories, tourism, even improved agriculture or housing for employees, for schools, hospitals, churches, supermarkets and others. It will definitely pave the way for the rehabilitation and urban redevelopment of Metro Manila. In  a report released last September, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) ranked Metro Manila, where it takes a motorist around 4.9 minutes to cover one kilometre, as the most congested city in developing Asia. (SA/IA)