Abaya: To say traffic not a problem would be foolish

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said he would be a “fool” to say there’s no traffic problem in Metro Manila.

This was how Abaya responded to Senator Grace Poe’s statement that while the administration’s “straight path” policy has made some improvements, it has been also derailed by traffic

“Sabi nila, meron na raw nagawa na matuwid na daan. Tuwid nga, ma-trapik naman (They say that the straight path has paved for improvements. While the path is straight, it has been riddled by traffic),” Poe said when she spoke before attendees of the 70th celebration of the Philippine Government Employees Association-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines last Monday.

READ: Poe scoffs at ‘tuwid na daan,’ hits ‘perpetual’ contractualization

Sought for comment, Abaya said at least Poe recognized that it was indeed a “straight path” under the present administration.

“At least she recognizes na daang matuwid nga ito at kino-confirm nya na ang administrasyong ito ay tuwid talaga kasi marami dyan nagsasabi hindi matuwid ang daang matuwid, baluktot ang daang matuwid but at least we heard from Senator Poe, she recognizes na talagang tuwid ang daang matuwid,” he told reporters after attending a hearing at the Senate on Wednesday.

(At least she recognizes that daang matuwid is indeed a straight path and she is confirming that this administration is truly upright, since there are many out there who say that daang matuwid is not a straight path, that daang matuwid is crooked, but at least we have Senator Poe who recognizes that, indeed, daang matuwid is upright.)

Asked about Poe’s remark about the traffic, Abaya said: “I’d be from the moon to say na hindi ma-traffic kami kasama din sa traffic (that there is no traffic [problem] because [you] are also immersed in traffic)…Parang (It’s like) you’d be a fool to say di na walang traffic…(that traffic is not a problem)”

READ: Abaya apologizes for ‘fatal’ remark on traffic

He pointed out that even Cabinet secretaries like him, and President Benigno Aquino III himself, experience the traffic in the metropolis.

Asked then if the people just have to live with the traffic, Abaya said: “Of course not, we say to live with it parang hanggang dito na lang ba tayo(is that all we can do)? No, government is doing as much as it can to address traffic…”

“The real solution to this is mass transportation and, I think , the other presidentiables, other national candidates agree with us that the solution is mass transit and inumpisahan na natin yan…(we have already begun that)” he further said.

Besides, Abaya pointed out that traffic was not exclusive to the Philippines as it is also being experienced in other countries like Kuala Lumpur and Paris.

“But again, you just have to address the situation…Ang mahalaga (What’s important) is government is moving, government knows the problems and comes up with a solution.”

And to continue the government’s ”straight path,” Abaya called on the people to vote for the administration’s bet and the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, in 2016.

READ: Poe: Roxas could have done more when he was DOTC chief

Abaya, who is also LP President, remained confident that Roxas would become the next president despite the latter’s low standing in pre-election surveys.

“Syempre kasi mahalaga na matuloy ang tuwid na daan (Of course, it is important to continue tuwid na daan).If we give up on daang matuwid, your children and your children’s children will blame us all,” he said. CDG