Duterte urged: Declare traffic crisis in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Incoming president Rodrigo Duterte should declare a traffic crisis and appoint a traffic czar to address the worsening problem in Metro Manila, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said yesterday.

MAP said Duterte should issue an executive order declaring the existence of a transportation and traffic crisis in the metro and secure emergency powers to address the crisis.

The emergency powers will enable the government to mobilize resources and undertake measures unhampered by appointment, procurement, budgetary and the Commission on Audit regulations during its pendency.

MAP also recommended Jose de Jesus, who once headed the departments of transportation and communication and public works and highways, as traffic czar.

The group also challenged Duterte to solve the bottlenecks and delays in the implementation of several infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a common station for the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit Line 1.