Ex-CBCP chief tells DOTC: Use funds to ease traffic woes
Heavy traffic occur at the northbound lane near Guadalupe, Makati City INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
A former head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has urged the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to spend necessary funds to ease the worsening traffic congestion in the bustling metropolis.
Highlighting a need for an efficient urban planning and mass transport system, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the government can utilize billions of collected Road Users Tax in improving road infrastructure and mass transport.
“Lahat ng pumupunta sa Maynila ay nakaka-experience nito. ‘Yung paniniwala ko dito, alam na rin ng experts na ang solusyon. Paniniwala ng marami ay maraming pondo; bakit hindi ito kaagad gamitin para diyan sa atin din, lalo na sa ating kababayan na hirap na hirap na?” Palma said over church-run Radyo Veritas.
Palma said the state of traffic in Metro Manila was a cause of embarrassment to foreigners visiting the country.
“Kapag may bisita tayo, nakakahiya na ganito ‘yung nangyayari. Kung ano ‘yung pinaka-solusyon diyan, gawin na lang; kasi palagay ko, mayroon namang nag-aaral na may capacity pa o mag-suggest ng nararapat na solusyon. Alam naman po natin na may pondo,” he added.
Metro Manila has earned the dubious distinction of having the worst traffic situation in the world based on navigation application Waze’s Global Driver Satisfaction Index. JE
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