MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, August 13, appealed to the public to give the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) a chance to ease traffic congestion along Edsa, Metro Manila's busiest thoroughfare.

"Hindi naman pipwedeng hindi maapektuhan ang publiko habang nag-eeksperimento ka. Let's give them (MMDA) a chance (It's impossible that public will not be inconvenience while [the MMDA] is experimenting. Let's give them a chance)," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told Palace reporters.

The MMDA has been under fire after the implementation of the provincial bus ban and yellow lane policy along Edsa worsened traffic conditions.

Earlier Tuesday, the Senate public services committee conducted an inquiry into the MMDA's traffic schemes.

The Palace official asked for public understanding, as the MMDA continues "experimenting" to improve traffic flow at Edsa.

"Alam mo, iyang problema sa Edsa, marami ng taon iyan. walang administrasyong naka-solve niyan (The problem at Edsa has been existing for years now. No administration is able to solve it). And they (MMDA) are precisely trying to do something about it," Panelo said.

"Pagbigyan na muna natin ang MMDA. Walang may gustong maabala sa Edsa. Lahat tayo naabala. (Let's give MMDA a chance. No one wants to experience inconvencience along Edsa. We are all being inconvenienced here) In fact, we're suffering by so much millions. Billions pa nga eh, given the time lost," he added.

The Philippines is losing P3.5 billion daily because of traffic woes in Metro Manila, based on the study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in partnership with the National Economic and Development Authority.

Panelo assured that the executive branch would take appropriate measures, if the MMDA fails to address the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila.

He also encouraged the public to give suggestions to help MMDA in addressing the traffic problem along Edsa.

"Let the MMDA do its job. Kapag wala pa ring magawa, eh 'di hanap naman tayo ng ibang solusyon (If it fails to address the traffic congestion, then we'll look for another solution)," he said.

"And then kung mayroon kang magandang mungkahi at 'yung mga nakikinig ay may magandang mungkahi, bigyan ang MMDA para makatulong (The public can give suggestions to MMDA to help the agency). They can send it to MMDA directly," Panelo added. (SunStar Philippines)