Political will enough to solve traffic woes – lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines - Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza believes that President Duterte does not need emergency powers to solve the traffic crisis in Metro Manila, as enough political will can mobilize all agencies to work with local governments. 

He said that two weeks ago he complained to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade that buses have been using Gil Puyat (Buendia) Avenue in Makati and Taft Avenue in Pasay City as parking areas.

“I know, because I pass there everyday,” he said.

“The buses are the cause of traffic in those areas. There are traffic enforcers and policemen there, but they turn a blind eye to what is going on. Obviously, there is corruption.”

Atienza said he suggested to Tugade, President Duterte’s traffic czar, to clear main roads and alternate routes of obstructions like vehicles, barangay halls, basketball courts and other structures.

“Buses still use Buendia and Taft as a parking lot,” he said. “Owners of those buses have allotted for themselves those parts of the two main roads.” 

Atienza said Duterte and Tugade do not need emergency powers from Congress to remove those buses and clear roads of obstructions.

“All that is needed is common sense and political will,” he said.

Atienza warned the public against the grant of emergency powers to the President.

“Let us not forget the lessons of the past,” he said.

“We must not let anyone take away our hard-earned freedom and democracy. When then president Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law, his declared reason for doing so was to quell the growing communist insurgency. This resulted in the curtailment of our freedom, particularly the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. 

“When President Cory Aquino came to power via a revolutionary government, our system of government was changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system. During his term, President Fidel Ramos asked for emergency powers to address the energy crisis. What did we get from that? Our electricity rates are now one of the highest in the world.” 

Atienza said Duterte is now seeking the same powers Ramos sought.

“Haven’t we learned lessons from the past?” he said.

“A one-man rule or emergency powers won’t bring any good for our country. Let us not commit the same mistake. Let us not waste the sacrifice made by so many Filipinos who fought to restore our freedom. Never again, never forget.”

‘Grant him emergency powers’

On the other hand, urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. backs the DOTr’s call for granting Duterte emergency powers.

He sees nothing wrong in granting Duterte  emergency power as it would help alleviate the traffic condition in Metro Manila.

“I support it [emergency powers for Duterte] provided there is a more definite program, scope of works deliverable in a timeline,” he said.

Speaking to reporters shortly after a forum in Makati, Palafox said he does not see Duterte using the bidding process for his personal interest because of his “strong political will” to resolve traffic woes in Manila.  

Palafox said the government must provide an order of prioritization of transportation.   

The government must utilize waterways for transportation, upgrade and maximize airports outside Metro Manila and maximize Batangas and Subic ports, he added.

Palafox said that opening gated government properties such as military camps would also resolve the issue. But that must be done before compelling gated subdivisions to open for traffic, he added.

Palafox said homeowners could open the subdivisions only during peak hours. 

“Let us say Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame, which is larger than Ayala Center, so my recommendation, even churchyards, maybe 20 percent of your underutilized land we create affordable housing for the poor,” he said. 

Palafox said all national agencies, including the foreign embassies, could transfer to other places outside Metro Manila. 

It would be better to transfer Malacañang either to Clark or Subic, and the Department of Agriculture moved to Mindanao, he added.