A controversial proposal by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to introduce toll fees for motorists using Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa), Metro Manila’s main arterial road, has ignited a heated debate over how best to tackle the city’s chronic traffic congestion. While the MMDA argues that a toll system could help manage the gridlock that plagues millions of commuters daily, critics, including prominent lawyer Romulo Macalintal, have called the idea impractical and potentially unlawful, labelling it as a form of double taxation. Amidst the contention, alternative solutions such as a four-day work week for government offices have resurfaced as potential remedies to ease the burden on Metro Manila’s overstrained infrastructure.
Toll Fees: A Solution or a Burden?
Edsa, often described as the pulsating vein of Metro Manila, is infamous for its bumper-to-bumper traffic, with commuters spending hours each day navigating its 23.8-kilometre stretch. On 5 February, the MMDA floated the idea of imposing a toll on motorists using the thoroughfare as a means to reduce vehicle volume and fund infrastructure improvements. However, the authority was quick to clarify that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. believes the timing is not yet right for such a measure. “That would only happen if there are already alternatives and if mass transportation is efficient,” MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said during a Palace briefing.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, a well-known legal expert, argued on 9 February that the toll could amount to double taxation, as vehicle owners already contribute through the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC) under Republic Act No. 8794. This law, often referred to as the ‘road user’s tax’, is designed to fund road maintenance and improvements. “This is not only impractical but may constitute double taxation,” Macalintal stated, highlighting the financial strain such a policy could place on motorists already grappling with high fuel costs and inflation. 
Senator Grace Poe, a vocal advocate for commuter rights, echoed these concerns, urging authorities to prioritise improving Edsa’s condition and public transport systems before considering additional fees. “Without these measures in place, the planned Edsa road pricing will only exacerbate the hardships faced by motorists who endure traffic, high fuel prices, and inflation,” she said in a statement. Her comments reflect a broader sentiment among Filipinos that any new financial burden must be matched by tangible improvements in infrastructure and services.
A Four-Day Work Week: An Old Idea Revived
As opposition to the toll proposal mounts, Macalintal has revived a long-standing idea he first proposed in 1997: a four-day work week for government offices in Metro Manila. Under his plan, government offices across the city’s 16 cities and one municipality would operate on a staggered schedule, with different clusters of cities closing on designated days. For example, offices in Quezon City, Las Piñas, and Manila might close on Mondays, while others follow on subsequent days. This, Macalintal argues, would significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the road each day, easing congestion and cutting fuel consumption.
“This staggered system of giving one day off per week will certainly ease the traffic situation in Metro Manila, considering the substantial number of private vehicles that will not be used during this workday off,” Macalintal explained. To maintain the standard 40-hour work week, he suggested extending daily office hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. He also noted that many employees already adjust their schedules—arriving early or staying late—to avoid peak traffic hours, suggesting that such a shift would not be a significant departure from current practices.
Macalintal pointed to past events, such as Manila Day and work suspensions during large public gatherings like the Iglesia ni Cristo’s National Rally for Peace, as evidence of the potential impact of reduced workdays. On these occasions, traffic in Metro Manila was noticeably lighter, offering a glimpse of what a staggered work week could achieve. He urged both the government and private sector to trial the concept as an “experimental phase,” starting with public offices before encouraging businesses in Metro Manila and other urban centres like Cebu and Davao to follow suit. “A little sacrifice from all concerned people and offices is not too much to ask for at this time when everybody is called upon to cooperate for the greater welfare of the public,” he added.
The Bigger Picture: Traffic as a National Concern
Metro Manila’s traffic woes are not merely a local inconvenience but a national economic challenge. According to a 2017 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), traffic congestion in the capital region costs the Philippine economy an estimated PHP 3.5 billion (approximately £50 million) per day in lost productivity, fuel wastage, and health-related expenses due to pollution. With the city’s population continuing to grow—currently standing at over 13 million—the strain on infrastructure has only intensified, making innovative solutions more urgent than ever.
The MMDA’s toll proposal, while controversial, is not without precedent. Similar road pricing schemes have been implemented in cities like Singapore and London, where congestion charges have successfully reduced traffic in central areas while generating revenue for public transport improvements. However, critics argue that Metro Manila lacks the efficient mass transit systems that underpin such schemes elsewhere. The city’s primary public transport options—jeepneys, buses, and the ageing Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems—are often overcrowded, unreliable, and fail to cover many areas, leaving commuters with little choice but to rely on private vehicles.
Senator Poe’s call for a “seamless and comfortable mass transportation system” before imposing tolls highlights a critical gap in the government’s approach. While projects like the Metro Manila Subway and the expansion of the LRT and MRT lines are underway, progress has been slow, hampered by funding issues, land acquisition disputes, and bureaucratic delays. Until these alternatives are fully operational, any toll system risks being perceived as punitive rather than practical, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income motorists who have few viable options.
Weighing the Alternatives: Feasibility and Public Sentiment
Macalintal’s four-day work week proposal, while innovative, is not without challenges. Implementing such a system would require significant coordination across government agencies and potentially the private sector, raising questions about productivity and service delivery. For instance, staggered closures could complicate access to essential services if not carefully managed, particularly in a city as densely populated and interconnected as Metro Manila. Moreover, while the plan may reduce traffic on certain days, it could inadvertently lead to higher congestion on others as commuters adjust their schedules.
Public sentiment, as gauged through social media and local commentary, appears divided. Many commuters express frustration with the status quo, with some supporting the toll idea if it guarantees improvements, while others see it as an additional burden. The four-day work week has garnered interest as a creative solution, though scepticism remains about its practicality for businesses and essential services. The government’s response to these proposals will likely shape public trust in its ability to address one of Metro Manila’s most persistent problems.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Comprehensive Solutions
The debate over the Edsa toll proposal and alternative ideas like the four-day work week underscores a broader need for comprehensive, long-term solutions to Metro Manila’s traffic crisis. While tolls may offer a short-term fix for funding infrastructure, they risk alienating the public without corresponding improvements in public transport. Similarly, innovative scheduling adjustments, though promising, require careful planning to avoid unintended consequences.
For now, the MMDA has deferred the toll plan pending better alternatives, a decision that reflects President Marcos Jr.’s cautious stance. As the government weighs its options, the voices of commuters, policymakers, and experts like Macalintal and Poe will be crucial in shaping a strategy that balances economic needs with social equity. In a city where traffic is both a daily frustration and a national economic drain, finding that balance is no small task—but it is one that Metro Manila can no longer afford to delay.
