President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is supporting a proposal by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to adjust government office hours earlier in a bid to ease traffic congestion ahead of this year’s planned EDSA rehabilitation.
Speaking at the Tesla Center launch in Taguig City, President Marcos said the government is studying the feasibility of the plan and is open to implementing it if it proves effective.
“Well, we’re studying. If it works, we’ll do it,” the President said when asked about the MMDA’s recommendation for a 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. work schedule for government employees.
He underscored the importance of consulting both traffic managers and the commuting public, who would be directly impacted by the proposed changes.
“So, if it turns out that everyone agrees to it, then I cannot see why it will be a problem,” he added.
The MMDA has cited findings from a recent study indicating that modified work schedules significantly eased traffic congestion in the metro.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes cited the potential benefits as the city prepares for major road rehabilitation projects.
The EDSA rehabilitation, a key infrastructure project expected to disrupt traffic flow, has intensified calls for innovative solutions to Metro Manila’s persistent traffic woes.
The report stated that adopting the schedule will bring faster travel time during peak hours in Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares, as well as a decrease in traffic delays, the MMDA said.
“We’ll get first the consensus of the mayors. We’ll coordinate with them and ask them what their preference is so that the data we’ll be submitting to the President is complete and the recommendations will be in line with various experiences of each of the LGUs,” Artes said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos backs adjusted gov’t work hours to alleviate traffic.”
