Emergency traffic powers for Duterte eyed anew

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will consider giving President Duterte emergency powers to solve the pestering traffic problem in Metro Manila.

Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu yesterday said they are endorsing the request of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for the grant of special traffic-related authority to the President.

“We are committed to help the President address the traffic problem in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities. Traffic congestion is now a national emergency that undermines the lives of many people, the country’s economy and our productivity,” Romualdez said.

He said Tugade made the request during a budget briefing on Thursday before the House committee on appropriations chaired by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab.

Abu said President Duterte should be authorized to exercise all powers necessary to finally solve the traffic crisis in Metro Manila.

Abu, who is a deputy speaker, has filed Bill No. 2091 or the proposed Proof-of-Parking Space Act, which would require a car buyer to present a notarized affidavit of a permanent parking space or facility before he is allowed to purchase a vehicle.

He said the requirement is one way of reducing traffic congestion because many vehicle owners do not have parking spaces and just leave their vehicles on roads near their homes.

Responding to questions from congressmen, Tugade said the grant of special authority to the President would hasten the implementation of projects and programs that would ease traffic congestion.

It would be slower if no authority were granted, he said.

Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, who chairs the House committee on transportation, earlier said one of the solutions Tugade is considering is the synchronized and centralized bus dispatch system on Edsa.

Sarmiento said the plan is to field sufficient buses during peak hours and fewer units during non-peak hours to lessen congestion.

Earlier, President Duterte criticized Sen. Grace Poe for allegedly attributing malice to his plan to ask Congress for funds to ease traffic congestion on Edsa, the capital’s main highway. 

Duterte said Poe, who is seeking a second term or planning to run again for President in 2022, had been suspicious that the money for traffic-related projects could be lost to corruption. 

“You know, when I started to work as President, we asked for money, but I didn’t say that I was asking for emergency powers. It was the suggestion of my staff,” he said. 

“In Congress, Grace Poe made a comment. She said: ‘That amount of money is just too big. We might lose all that money to corruption.’ So when I heard it…I told Congress: ‘Never mind. I will not ask for money anymore, forget it’,” he said.