SENATOR Robinhood Padilla on Tuesday stressed that education for motorists and drivers, with road courtesy and discipline, along with clarity on enforcement of traffic laws, are among the keys to solving the scourge of traffic in Metro Manila and other urbanized areas in the country.

Padilla, who is heartened that the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is working to address the problem, said he is prepared to help through legislative processes.

“Ilang buwan na ring pinag-aaralan ng aking tanggapan ang pag-ayos ng transportasyon sa lupa. Kasama sa mga susi dito ang kurtesiya sa daan at edukasyon, disiplina ng mga motorista – na maaaring isama sa kurikulum ng Department of Education para sa Senior High School, para maagang matuto ang ating mga mamamayan bago mapasama sa ating workforce,” he said.

“Nabuhayan ako ng loob na binibigyang pansin ng ating Pangulo ang problemang ito. Ako ay handang sumuporta sa paglutas ng problema sa pamamagitan ng gawain sa lehislatura,” he added.

Aside from this, Padilla noted it is important to determine who can use national roads and clarify the roles of local government units in implementing national traffic regulations as well as who are specifically authorized to enforce national traffic regulations – including a redefined Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group.

He added it is important to clarify and identify the coverage of national highways and what regulations are strictly applicable thereat.

Ignorance of national traffic laws and regulations has caused so many deaths and miserable traffic conditions on our roads, many of which are preventable.

A traffic summit is due to be held on Wednesday (10 April 2024) to find solutions to the traffic in Metro Manila.

Among the solutions being studied are government employees taking the lead in following traffic rules, and the development of provinces near Metro Manila.