Poe renews call for emergency powers to solve traffic woes

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe on Friday stressed the need to “grant extraordinary powers” to President Rodrigo Duterte to fast-track the solutions to traffic and congestion in Metro Manila. 

 

“There is a need to grant extraordinary powers because current laws do not adequately provide for the means to expeditiously and effectively solve this traffic and congestion crisis. Some laws even create roadblocks to acting promptly,” the chair of Senate committee on public services said. 

 

Her statement comes on the heels of a Japan International Cooperation Agency report, which found out that the country loses P3.5 billion a day in 2017 due to Metro Manila traffic. This has worsened from the P2.4 billion in daily economic losses in 2014. 

 

READ: Metro Manila traffic mess costs P3.5 billion daily

 

Poe authored Senate Bill 1284, which seeks to grant emergency powers to the president to address the traffic crisis in the metro. The measure is still pending in the Senate. 

 

“Unfortunately, the bill should have [been] passed already but is being hindered by extended debates. Though the president initially asked for emergency power, he said later on that he does not need it. This sent mixed signals to members of the House and the Senate,” she said. 

 

She once again called on Duterte to certify the measure as “urgent” so that the Senate and House may prioritize its passage into law. 

 

“Because we all know that it is the lubricant which moves legislation,” Poe said. 

 

The senator added that the government should also develop a reliable mass transit system, build alternative roads and bridges, pursue innovative technological traffic management solutions and develop economic centers outside of Metro Manila.

 

“We are in a war against traffic; but if the people who will receive such emergency powers will categorically say that the powers are an ammunition they no longer need, then the onus of solving it falls solely and squarely on them,” Poe said. 

 

The Duterte administration has set an P8.44-trillion infrastructure spending plan until 2022 to spur gross domestic product growth to 7-8 percent starting this year from a targeted 6.5-7.5 percent in 2017.