La Salle Green Hills responds to MMDA, introduces 5-point strategy

Those who frequent Ortigas Avenue, particularly in the vicinity of La Salle Green Hills (LSGH), may have been one of the thousands of motorists who got stuck in traffic because of other motorists who have been dropping off or picking up students. The result is backed-up traffic, as some vehicles often occupy three lanes out of the 4-lane avenue.

Well, this issue is not new, and for many years, motorists and other road users have been enduring what seems to be inaction and a blind eye towards this sense of entitlement (even ignoring the fact that there is a No-Contact Apprehension Policy or NCAP in the area) of many of the LSGH’s parents and school buses, until recently when calls for change went viral on social media which prompted authorities to finally take action.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has reached out to the administration of LSGH to seek a collaborative solution to the area’s traffic congestion. According to recent MMDA data, its NCAP cameras recorded 1,556 violations—illegal parking, no loading/unloading, and obstruction—all within the vicinity of the school.

LSGH’s 5-point strategy

Autoindustriya.com has obtained a copy of a letter from LSGH, addressed to MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes. The letter was signed by the school’s president, Brother Edmundo Fernandez, in response to the agency’s earlier advisory.

According to LSGH, prior to the opening of the school year, its administration has already met with the MMDA to discuss measures aimed at mitigating traffic congestion within its immediate vicinity along Ortigas Avenue. Also, the school has implemented a 5-point strategy to address the traffic congestion it causes on Ortigas Avenue. This new plan is designed to help alleviate gridlock that impacts thousands of road users and often spills over onto the major thoroughfares, particularly in EDSA:

• Traffic Flow Adjustments

LSGH has modified traffic routes within the campus and Greenhills East Village to improve efficiency and minimize vehicle buildup along Ortigas Avenue. We partnered with the Greenhills East Village Association (GEVA) to allow access within the village and maximize the use of our school gates.

• Additional Drop-Off and Pick-Up Spaces

The football field has been designated as a drop-off and pick-up area to accommodate fetchers and guests within the campus.

• Revised Class Schedules

Class schedules across all grade levels have been staggered to manage dismissal times. In addition, Senior High School students attend online classes once a week, thereby reducing traffic volume.

• Maximized use of School Buses and Carpooling Scheme

LSGH has increased the number of accredited school buses and encouraged parents to participate in the carpooling scheme. In addition, LSGH is exploring point-to-point transport services for students and personnel.

• Reminders to motorists

We constantly remind motorists going to LSGH to strictly observe the traffic regulations set by the MMDA. We support the MMDA’s No Contact Apprehension Policy enforced along Ortigas Avenue and trust that it will be implemented properly.

With traffic enforcement under the purview of the MMDA, led by Chairman Atty. Don Artes, a more robust enforcement strategy is required. This would involve more boots on the ground to physically ticket violators. These personnel should be a special breed of MMDA traffic enforcers: enforcers who uphold the principle that traffic laws cannot be circumvented through appeals, lagay, or the padrino system. Only then will the gridlock caused by LSGH be fixed.