tayabet Lawyer rejects proposed Edsa congestion fee, 4-day work week pushed

 tayabet

(INQUIRER / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Sunday opposed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) proposal to collect toll from motorists using Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa), arguing that it may constitute double taxation and is impractical. “This is not only impractical but may constitute double taxation because vehicle owners already pay the ‘road user’s tax’ under Republic Act No. 8794,” Macalintal said in a statement, referring to the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) law, which funds road maintenance and improvements. Instead of toll fees, Macalintal reiterated his long-standing proposal of implementing a four-day work week for government offices in Metro Manila, an idea he has pushed since 1997. “A four-day work per week in all government offices in Metro Manila where everyday, three cities in Metro Manila will have no work on a staggered or alternate basis,” he explained.

For instance, government offices in Quezon City, Las Piñas, and Manila would close on Mondays, followed by other cities on different days.

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Macalintal said this system would reduce the number of vehicles on the road, ease congestion, and save fuel. “This staggered system of giving one day off per week will certainly ease the traffic situation in Metro Manila, considering the substantial number of private vehicles that will not be used during this workday off,” he underscored. To maintain a 40-hour workweek, the lawyer suggested adjusting office hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. “At any rate, it is very common that most employees stay late in the office even after office hours or come to work very early in the morning to avoid traffic,” Macalintal added. He further cited previous holidays and work suspensions, such as Manila Day and the Iglesia ni Cristo’s National Rally for Peace, which resulted in noticeably lighter traffic. 

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Macalintal likewise urged both the government and private sector to consider adopting the four-day work week as an experimental phase to address the worsening traffic situation.

 “A little sacrifice from all concerned people and offices is not too much to ask for at this time when everybody is called upon to cooperate for the greater welfare of the public,” he said.

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Private companies could also adopt the setup to support the government’s traffic and energy-saving efforts, according to Macalintal.

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“The government may be the first to enforce a four-day work week  or one day-off pet week as an “experimental phase,” before the private sector could participate. It could also be adopted in other metro cities, like Cebu, Davao and the like,” he concluded. 

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On Wednesday, February 5, the MMDA said that motorists may eventually be required to pay a fee to use Edsa to address traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

It, however, clarified that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. believes it is not yet the right time to impose a toll.

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“Pwede lamang ‘yan kung may alternatibo na, kung efficient na ang mass transport natin,” MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said in a Palace briefing.

(That would only happen if there are already alternatives and if mass transportation is efficient.)

Senator Grace Poe also weighed in on the issue, urging authorities to improve Edsa’s condition first before implementing any toll fees for motorists.

In a statement, Poe emphasized the need for a seamless and comfortable mass transportation system to encourage vehicle owners to leave their vehicles at home.

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“Without these measures in place, the planned Edsa road pricing will only exacerbate the hardships faced by motorists who endure traffic, high fuel prices, and inflation,” she said.

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