Roxas eyes DOTC-DPWH merger to address traffic woes

LIBERAL Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas’ solution to traffic woes in Metro Manila? Implement the single bus operator system to decongest traffic and merge the Departments of Transportation and Communication with that of Public Works and Highways.

Roxas said this during the last Commission on Election (Comelec) sanctioned presidential debate in Pangasinan City on Sunday when the candidates were asked by an ordinary citizen how they would address traffic in the capital city.

Roxas, who previously served as the transportation secretary, said the DOTC-DPWH merger would enable both agencies to come up with more coherent plans on road development and on the improvement of train systems in Metro Manila.

This sharply contrasted with Vice President Jejomar Binay’s proposal to separate the DOTC into Department of Transportation and Department of Communications when asked for a solution to the traffic problem.

“Hiniwalay ang DOTC sa DPWH kaya hindi magkatugma yung mga plano kaya ako ibabalik ko ‘yung transportation at DPWH, ‘yung gumawa ng kayle at tren, para coherent ang mga plano,” Roxas said.

The administration candidate also reiterated his plan to streamline the system of bus franchises in the city so buses from different operators would not congest the major thoroughfares.

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