Sing, Mika Vernadeth L.

Traffic Engineering
BSCE 5-1 Essay

Regarding the proposed ‘Pasig River Expressway’. Will it have a positive effect on the future
traffic conditions?

According to the DPWH website, the Pasig River Expressway or PAREX is an

expressway project that traverses the entirety of Pasig River. Plus, the aim of the project is to
create direct links between the cities, to decongest the traffic in C-5, EDSA, etc., and to
contribute efficiency to Philippines’ transport system (Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) Project,
n.d.). But the important question is “will it have a positive effect on the future traffic conditions”?
I think that adding more roads does not really help with traffic decongestion because
more roads lead to more cars, since the transportation system in this country is so bad that
people opt to get personal vehicles, which then will lead to even more traffic, and then more
band-aid solutions like adding more roads, expanding road size, etc. So, my answer to the
question is that: it would probably have a positive effect on traffic conditions to private vehicle
users but for the general population, it will not really have a positive effect regarding traffic
conditions. In addition, there are articles stating that Pasig River Expressway or PAREX will
have negative effects to the urban ecosystem (Enano, 2021) and it will enhance the urban heat
island effect & noise and air pollution (Siy, 2021).
What could be a suitable alternative? We should focus on improving the country’s
transportation system. According to an article in inquirer.net, 70% are road users relying on
public transport, there are about 8.9M jeepney passengers and 1.8M bus passengers daily and
yet the spending priority is 99% allocated for building new roads, wielding, and maintenance,
etc. and there is only 1% spent on public transport needs. As said by the Move as One Coalition
in the article, “we should invest in more active and road-based public transportation
infrastructure” (Peña, 2021) and I agree. We should give more attention on our transportation
system for the public. We need safer bike lanes, larger sidewalks, prioritize public transportation
at traffic signals, optimize train stations, and proper stops and terminals for buses and jeepneys.
Also, we really need to teach the public the discipline needed for the improved transportation
system so that the improvement in public transportation system and the public itself will work in
harmony

References:
Enano, J. O. (2021, October 04). Scientists join opposition against Pasig River Expressway
project. Retrieved from inquirer.net: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1496485/scientists-join-
opposition-against-pasig-river-expressway-project
Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from Department of Public Works
and Highways: https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/DPWH/PPP/projs/parex
Peña, K. D. (2021, October 28). Sensible public transport: A post-pandemic dream. Retrieved
from inquirer.net: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1507740/sensible-public-transport-a-post-
pandemic-dream
Siy, R. (2021, November 20). Will the Pasig River Expressway help or harm you? Retrieved
from The Manila Times: https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/20/business/top-business/will-the-
pasig-river-expressway-help-or-harm-you/1822928