Another traffic scheme implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at the intersection of Taft Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Ave. (EDSA) in Pasay City has drawn controversy.

Critics claim the scheme has not solved but worsened the problem of traffic congestion at the intersection.

Noemi Recio, MMDA Traffic Engineering Center director, admitted that the experimental traffic scheme frustrated motorists and commuters on Taft Avenue. But Recio appealed for more time to allow the MMDA to evaluate the new traffic scheme implemented in the middle of the week.

Crisanto Almirol, Metrobase personnel, MMDA's command and communications center, said his office has been receiving complaints and criticisms through MMDA 136 for removing the traffic light at the intersection of Taft Avenue and EDSA.

Instead, MMDA traffic enforcers placed and lined up pink fences, blocking the way for motorists and pedestrians.

“Many motorists have complained na na-late sila sa trabaho, natraffic at nadelay sila sa pupuntahan nila dahil kailangan pang mag-U-turn ng napakalayo. Nakakaubos hindi lang ng gasoline pero oras din,” said Almirol.

Almirol said most of the complainants are commuters who failed to report for work on time.

“Motorists were also not warned ahead of time about the implementation, kaya nagulat sila,” said Almirol.

Under the new traffic scheme, motorists from Baclaran going to Taft Avenue in Manila will have to pass the U-turn slot in the Magallanes area, while motorists from Manila going to Baclaran must take the U-turn slot along EDSA. Recio said the resulting gridlock will at first anger the motorists, but it will only be a period of adjustment as it will also benefit more commuters.