La Salle GH acknowledges Ortigas traffic woes; implements changes
La Salle Green Hills has responded to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's letter regarding traffic concerns, especially along Ortigas Avenue near the school.
Acknowledging the recurring traffic congestion, LSGH President Br. Edmundo L. Fernandez FSC wrote to MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando S. Artes. In the letter, a copy of which was sent to PhilSTAR L!fe, he assured the public that the school "is actively collaborating with the MMDA to address concerns regarding public safety and the orderly flow of traffic."
Fernandez said that “prior to the opening of the school year, LSGH met with the MMDA to discuss measures aimed at mitigating congestion in the area.”
He has also laid out the concrete steps the school is taking to remedy the situation, opening up more routes within the campus and Greenhills East Village to improve the traffic flow. He said that the Greenhills East Village Association has agreed to give vehicles headed to and from LSGH access within the village streets, maximizing the use of the school gates.
The school has also created additional drop-off and pick-up spots at the football field.
To "manage dismissal times," they've staggered class schedules and reduced the in-person class days for senior high school students to only four times a week.
The school is also encouraging the use of school buses and carpooling by increasing the number of accredited buses and exploring point-to-point transport.
Lastly, in support of MMDA’s No Contact Apprehension Policy enforced along Ortigas Avenue, LSGH will continue to remind motorists going to and from LSGH to “strictly observe the traffic regulations set by the MMDA.”
“Together with the MMDA, and with the cooperation of parents, guardians, and stakeholders, LSGH remains steadfast in its commitment to implementing sustainable solutions that improve traffic flow while ensuring the safety and well-being of our students,” concluded Fernandez.
A recurring problem
From July 11 to Aug. 14, MMDA, through its No Contact Apprehension Policy, flagged 1,341 traffic violations in the strip of Ortigas Avenue fronting the LSGH campus. These violations, which usually take place during school drop-off and pick-up, include obstruction, illegal parking, and unauthorized loading and unloading.
Urging the LSGH administration to implement more stringent traffic rules to address the problem, MMDA on Tuesday sought cooperation from the school. LSGH, in fact, had begun the school year with set traffic guidelines. On July 7, to prepare for the opening of classes, LSGH posted a traffic advisory.
According to the guidelines, parking is strictly prohibited on both sides of Ortigas Avenue, and each drop-off is limited to only 10-12 seconds at designated loading and unloading areas.
