Much has been written about the traffic along EDSA, which is perhaps Metro Manila’s most famous (some would say infamous) thoroughfare. These include the unpredictability of congestion along this road. While it is hard to believe that traffic congestion is unpredictable for EDSA because very often it is congested, there are times when you just marvel that its free-flowing during the day or shocked that its packed with cars close to midnight. Last week, we experienced both predictability and unpredictability in the sense that we did expect EDSA to be congested near Ortigas (due to the dismissals of schools in the vicinity) but didn’t expect it to be packed during what we thought was “alanganin na oras” that was around 3PM.
EDSA northbound traffic taken at Guadalupe last October 1, 2018 at 3:30PM.
Interestingly, there was no congestion after Ortigas Avenue and we quickly made up for the time lost in the congestion we experienced from Gil Puyat Avenue. Is this another case of the phantom congestion where the simple disturbances in the traffic stream can create a ripple effect resulting in congestion? Or is this somewhat like an everyday thing? EDSA is not part of my daily commute so I am not so sure about the regularity of this situation but at least the weather didn’t factor in the equation. Heavy rains usually lead to flash floods along this thoroughfare, and these floods will definitely lead intense congestion.
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Caught (up) in traffic 
Dear Sir,
Good day, I hope you are well.
I would like to reach out to you and ask for your advice relating to career in the transportation industry.
Would it be possible to write to you privately?
Thank you,
Sincerely yours,
Raymund
What advice do you need? There are only several options in the Philippines usually – consulting work (private, NGO), design and planning (private firm or government – DOTr, MMDA, NEDA, LGU), R&D (DOST projects, for example), operations (LRTA, MRTC), development work (ADB, WB, UN agencies) and academe. The term “transportation industry” actually refers to transportation services like bus companies, TNCs, logistics companies and the like.
Hi Sir,
I was wondering if there are Certification programs available in the Philippines that I may apply to.
I have been working in the field of transport planning – mostly traffic impact studies and traffic modelling for the past 10 years in the Middle East. I have also completed projects in Denmark and Africa.
However I am not formally educated as a Transport Planner. I was only fortunate to have gained the training and work experience.
The certification will help improve my position in my company and hopefully open new opportunities.
What would be the requirements to gain Certification or are there part time programs that I can complete online?
Sincerely Yours,
Raymund
There is none. Generally, transport planning is practiced by CEs, Architects and Envi Planners in the Philippines. You probably would want to affiliate yourself with consulting firms or do some networking if you want to go at it as an independent consultant.