Drilon bill gives Duterte extra powers to solve Metro traffic

In this image made from video provided by Radio Television Malacanang, new Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte takes the oath during the inauguration ceremony in Malacanang Palace, Thursday, June 30, 2016 in Manila, Philippines. Duterte was sworn in Thursday as president of the Philippines, with many hoping his maverick style will energize the country, but others fearing he could undercut one of Asia’s liveliest democracies amid his threats to kill criminals en masse. Radio Television Malacanang via AP Video

MANILA, Philippines—Taking the first step towards solving debilitating traffic jams in Metro Manila and other key cities, reelected Senator Franklin Drilon on Friday filed a bill granting President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to solve the transportation crisis.

Drilon’s Senate Bill No. 11, or the “Transportation Crisis Act of 2016,” would grant Duterte the power to use alternative methods of procurement for “the construction, repair, rehabilitation, improvement or maintenance of transportation projects” that would reduce traffic congestion.

The senator said the bill, if approved, will give the executive emergency powers for two years.

Even before the start of the new administration, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade spoke about plans to seek emergency powers from Congress to address the traffic crisis, which costs the country P2.4 billion daily, according to a 2013 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

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“The emergency power being sought for President Duterte will capacitate him in addressing the horrendous traffic situation within and outside Metro Manila,” Drilon said in a statement.

The proposal would enable the Duterte administration to circumvent the usually tedious bidding process for government projects and allow government to procure materials through “limited source bidding, direct contracting, repeat order, shopping, and negotiated procurement,” Drilon said.

READ: ‘Give Duterte emergency powers to solve Metro traffic’

Drilon’s bill also sought to centralize urban traffic management “to streamline the management of traffic” in the metro.

Currently, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority looks after traffic management in the National Capital Region, but local governments enact their own traffic regulations and deploy their respective traffic enforcers. RAM/rga