Pia Cayetano hits back at DOTC chief Abaya over traffic mess comment

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Pia Cayetano on Thursday hit back at Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya who said that the protracted traffic mess in Metro Manila is "not fatal."

Cayetano took to social media to comment on Abaya’s televised statement saying Metro Manila traffic is “not fatal” or “burdensome to the daily lives of the people.”

“OMG! Kaya pala ganito kalala ang traffic sa atin, our very own DOTC chief says traffic is “not burdensome to the daily lives of the people,” Cayetano posted on her Facebook account.

Cayetano added that employees waste a lot of time when they get stuck in traffic.

“Sir, if it takes an employee 2 hours to get to work and another 2 hours to get home, that's half of the work day IN TRAFFIC. Those are productive hours that could have been spent elsewhere,” Cayetano said.

The senator backed her argument with a citation of Japan International Cooperation Agency’s study which revealed that Metro Manila traffic jams cost $57 milion or P2.4 billion from the Philippine economy’s daily potential income.

Last Monday, Abaya made the remarks in an interview with ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol.

Reports said that hundreds missed their flights last August 14, a payday Friday, when huge traffic jams were reported on major roads in Metro Manila including roads leading to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s four terminals.

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