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Car Owners Might Soon Be Charged Fees to Use EDSA, Says Remulla
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that car owners in Metro Manila may soon have to pay a fee to use EDSA. This plan, discussed during a meeting led by President Marcos Jr., aims to encourage the use of public transportation. The fee system, possibly managed through AI technology, will only be implemented once public transport is efficient, reliable, and fully improved. Remulla emphasized that using EDSA will become a privilege, not a right, to help ease traffic congestion.
Manila, Philippines — Car owners in Metro Manila may eventually have to pay a fee to drive on the heavily congested EDSA. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said this move aims to encourage people to use public transportation instead.
The idea was discussed during a meeting on the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) for Metro Manila, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
According to Remulla, the fee system will only be implemented once public transportation, like trains and other systems, is fully improved and reliable. He mentioned that an AI-powered metering system might be used to manage the fees.
“There will be charges once everything is in place, to motivate people to shift to public transport,” Remulla explained.
When asked if this means drivers will have to pay like in some other countries, he replied, “Yes. Using EDSA will become a privilege, not a right.”
Remulla highlighted that only 17% of the population uses 80% of Metro Manila’s roads, which adds to traffic problems.
However, he assured that the government’s priority is to make public transportation efficient, reliable, and comfortable before implementing any fees.
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