Press Release
September 19, 2019

SEN. KOKO: Revisit the grant of 'Emergency Powers' to the President to solve traffic woes; Operations and maintenance to be given to private sector

Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, on Thursday, said that it may be an urgent and critical time to revisit the proposal to grant 'Emergency Powers' to the President in order to utilize government resources and employ executive measures to address the country's increasing traffic congestion problems.

"It might be the proper time for Congress to take immediate and priority action to re-assess proposals granting emergency powers to the President para maayos ang napakasamang traffic dito sa Manila. Kailangang matulungan nating maibsan ang araw-araw na kalbaryo ng ating mga commuters," Pimentel said.

He also expressed concern over the losses incurred in man-hours, productivity, and opportunities everyday due to traffic making our economy uncompetitive with our neighboring countries.

"Last year, ang estimated economic loss natin was at P3.5 billion araw-araw dahil sa Metro Manila and Cebu traffic. Dapat nating ma-solusyonan yan! We are losing money and our patience everyday and the opportunity to spend more time sa ating mga kapamilya," Pimentel added.

The Senator further suggested that with such emergency powers the President may be able to immediately enter into projects that can help solve traffic issues, such as the government using its resources first in building and constructing of an elevated road and walkways and bike lanes along Edsa, Ortigas Avenue, Shaw Boulevard and Ayala Ave and the equivalently traffic bridges and roads in Cebu.

"Pwedeng magtayo ang gobyerno ng parallel walkways, pwede pang mechanized, tulad ng walkalators! Pwede ring magkaroon ng overhead skyway sa Edsa at Ortigas at duon rin sa cebu, at dapat din magkaroon ng bike lanes sa mga lugar na ito," he said.

Lastly, the Senator believes that the said government infrastructure projects should be bid out for the private sector to operate and maintain after they are built just like the Clark Airport terminal.

"Mas maganda rin siguro kung ang mga proyektong ito ay pangangasiwaan ng pribadong sektor para masiguradong maayos ang paggamit at pagpapanatili ng mga ito," The Senator said.

I am hoping the business sectors and the various business groups and associations will heed and support this call.

Hindi na tayo makaantay sa lumang prosesso. Ayusin na natin ngayon!

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