Drilon seeks sole authority for MMDA over EDSA

MANILA, Philippines — A bill filed by Senate President Franklin Drilon wants the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to have sole authority over EDSA as part of the emergency powers of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Drilon recently filed Senate Bill 11 or the Transportation Crisis Act of 2016 which seeks to resolve traffic issues in Metro Manila, as well as Cebu City and Cagayan de Oro City.

"Unang-una, dapat single authority lang. Dapat bigyan natin ng sapat na kapangyarihan ang MMDA chairman, dahil kapag siya lang ang may kapangyarihan, siya lang ang sisisihin, iisa lang po," Drilon said in an interview with radio dzMM on Monday.

Drilon added that five city mayors are in charge of EDSA traffic management alone.

"Ngunit tama yung sinasabi nila, yung 'Hindi lang naman kami ang may isang kapangyarihan diyan eh.' Kung sasabihin natin na dito dadaan ang bagong kalsada, sasabihin ng local government, ay 'Hindi dito pwede sa amin, doon na lang sa kabila,' yung mga bagay na ganoon," the senator said.

Under the proposed measure, the functions of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office will also be transferred to the MMDA as far as EDSA is concerned.

The MMDA will have consistent sole authority on issuing franchise licenses for buses that pass through EDSA, Drilon said.

Drilon also proposed to ban courts other than the Supreme Court to issue temporary restraining orders on expropriation.

"Dapat Korte Suprema lang ang magbibigay, para po sa mga expropriation, siguro dito ang talagang desisyon ng MMDA at ng ating presidente pagdating diyan sa mga malalaking infrastructure, halimbawa diyan sa airport, yung mga elevated highways na hindi daw nagkakasundo ang DOTC at ang MRT," the senator said.

The proposed measure also simplifies public bidding which limits the bidding to prequalified contractors with track record.

Duterte earlier said that he would seek emergency powers from Congress to solve the traffic woes in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and allow him to implement bold solutions which may affect private subdivisions, markets and terminals.