Drilon: Senate to prioritize Duterte's emergency powers

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Franklin Drilon on Monday said the Senate would prioritize the passage of his bill seeking to grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to deal with the transportation crisis in Metro Manila and other major urban areas.

A few weeks ago, Drilon filed Senate Bill 11 or the Transportation Crisis Act of 2016 which seeks to authorize the president to adopt alternative methods for transportation projects which would reduce traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

"Ako po ay naghain ng emergency powers bill for the transport crisis and we will give it priority in the Senate," Drilon said in a chance interview after Duterte's SONA.

READ: Traffic emergency powers, Cha-cha measures filed

Drilon's bill also seeks the establishment of a sole urban traffic management authority to streamline the management of traffic in urban areas.

The senator added that they are awaiting the comments of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to identify the other needs not stated in the Senate bill to address the transport crisis.

In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), Duterte said the transportation crisis could be addressed if Congress would grant emergency powers to concerned agencies.

RELATED: Things Duterte said in his first SONA (From A-Z)

Duterte said he would still accept complaints about traffic congestion even if Congress does not grant him emergency powers.

"Ayaw mo? Okay lang rin. Makita na diyan, kapag gusto n'yong madalian, alam mo naman talagang sagad na lahat na, nasa inyo yan," Duterte said.

READ: Duterte on traffic woes: Emergency powers or slow results?