No improvement in traffic in Rody’s first 100 days – ally

MANILA, Philippines - There has been no improvement in traffic in the first 100 days of President Duterte, one of his allies said yesterday.

 “Most of the transportation problems left by the previous Aquino administration continue to bedevil the public. As it was before, so it is now,” Rep. Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna said.

“Traffic is still the scourge of residents living in metropolitan areas, particularly in Manila, Cebu and Davao. Unless the growing number of vehicles in major thoroughfares is regulated and a shift to affordable and efficient mass transport is made, the traffic situation will only get worse instead of being remedied,” Zarate added.

He said commuters still have to contend with the inefficient operation of the three mass rail transit systems in Metro Manila.

“Instead of giving the public easy and convenient access to the proposed MRT-LRT common station, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) approved a compromise that caters only to the interests of big businesses, again leaving commuters on the losing end,” Zarate said.

MMDA: 8% improvement

In contrast to Zarate’s statement, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) claimed that traffic situation in the metropolis has improved by eight percent.

MMDA general manager Tim Orbos attributed the improvement in traffic congestion to the creation of an Inter-Agency Council for Traffic.

The Senate and House of Representatives are considering proposals to give Duterte emergency powers to solve traffic congestion in urban areas.

Several congressmen, including Lito Atienza of Buhay party-list, said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who was designated by the President as traffic czar, could implement “common-sense measures.”

Atienza said strict enforcement of traffic laws and regulations and clearing roads of obstructions such as illegally parked vehicles, basketball courts and similar structures do not require special powers.

“All it takes is political will,” he said.

Speaker dismayed with DOTr

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has expressed dismay over the performance of the DOTr in addressing the plight of commuters, particularly in Metro Manila.

“I have not felt any improvement as far as traffic is concerned in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu,” Alvarez, a former transportation secretary, told reporters.

“We still receive reports of trains bogging down. We keep hearing reports of disruptions in train operations and malfunctioning doors of LRT and MRT trains, among others. These problems need to be addressed,” he added.

Alvarez said the DOTr should solve traffic congestion, which may worsen during the Christmas season.

The Speaker said the House committee on transportation would continue to deliberate on the proposed emergency powers for the administration.

The committee has approved the creation of a technical working group that will consolidate the 10 bills on emergency powers for traffic. – Jess Diaz, Delon Porcalla, Robertzon Ramirez