DOTr drops bid for traffic emergency powers

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is no longer pursuing its bid for emergency powers from Congress to address the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other urban areas in the country.

During the technical working group (TWG) meeting of the Senate public services committee on Monday, Transportation Undersecretary for road and transport infrastructure Mark Richmund de Leon said the DOTr was dropping its proposal for emergency powers.  

“We received a message from Secretary Arthur Tugade that he echoes the statement of the President that he will no longer seek emergency powers,” De Leon said.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the committee, said she looks forward to the inputs of the resource persons during the TWG in crafting a bill that will fix the traffic mess in Mega Manila.

“Not everything is legislated. At times, you just need to bring people together... It might not be emergency powers, it can be just a traffic solution,” Poe said.

During an interview with CNN Philippines yesterday, Tugade said, “I will repeat what the President said, we will not beg for emergency powers.”

“It’s just a waste of time. We are not going to spend time talking and talking. Let us just work instead,” he added.

Tugade said the proposal to grant President Duterte emergency powers is being politicized.

The TWG was attended by urban planners, transportation experts, commuter groups and representatives from the DOTr.

During the meeting, groups representing commuters and motorists stressed the need for better mass transportation to ease the traffic gridlock.

They said the master plan should also incorporate provision lanes and parking spaces for bicycles; smart and well-made walkways; an intelligent transportation system and more parking buildings to declog streets.

The participants said development plans of cities should put premium on the mobility of people to spur productivity and growth.

The panel will hold another meeting next month.

Poe said “3Ps” should be in place before the passage of a law on traffic.

 “These can be summed up as PPP – plano (plan), pondo (funds) and pagsisiyasat (oversight),” she said.

 She underscored the need for the government to conduct thorough consultations with transport and commuter groups before coming up with the master plan.

Inter-agency body

The House committee on transportation yesterday pushed for the creation of an inter-agency body to address traffic woes in Metro Manila and other urban areas.

Members of the panel approved House Resolution No. 353 endorsing to the executive branch to form a Traffic Crisis Inter-Agency Management Council, which will consolidate all transport and traffic policies.

“To combat traffic crisis, there is an urgent need to consolidate and harmonize traffic management policies and plans of government agencies, offices and departments responsible for transportation and traffic management,” read the resolution signed by committee chairman and Samar first district Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento.

The committee has proposed that the council be composed of officials of the Departments of Transportation, Public Works and Highways, Interior and Local Government, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group.

Meanwhile, militant lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc have opposed the impending demolition of houses to give way to the connector road of the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway and the Philippine National Railways North-South railway project.

The group led by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate filed a resolution seeking investigation on the impending demolition of houses to be affected by the projects.

The committee on Metro Manila development chaired by Manila first district Rep. Manuel Luis Lopez started yesterday its deliberations on the issue. – With Richmond Mercurio, Edu Punay