MANILA — Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to push for the passing of the bill granting him emergency powers in addressing the massive traffic problem in Metro Manila.
“Sabi ko sana nga pagalitan n’ya [Duterte] rin kami run sa Senado na ‘uy bilisan na ninyo yan’ kasi talagang malaking tulong sana ito,” Poe, who heads the Senate committee on public services, said in a press statement.
Poe will request Senate Majority Leader Vicente Tito Sotto III to front-load the bill.
Under Senate Bill 1284 or the proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act, the President will be granted emergency powers to speed up road and infrastructure projects under his administration.
Once approved, this bill will grant Duterte command to order and approve road and infrastructure projects without the interception of lower courts.
However, Poe feared the lack of clamor for the bill may put its approval at risk because Malacañang has not certified it as urgent.
She urged Duterte to prioritize the bill, citing the extremity of the country’s traffic situation.
“Hindi lamang sa nagiging problema ng Pangulo sa paglutas ng traffic kung hindi lalung-lalo na yung ating mga kababayan na matagal na rin, pareho nating adbokasiya ito,” Poe said.
Business groups are also calling for the immediate passage of the bill to address the country’s traffic problem. Ma. Angela Christa Coloma (OJT)/PNA-northboundasia.com