DOTr proposes no parking, no loading and unloading at new establishments

Incoming Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade announces plans to place Mega Manila under a “traffic crisis” and ask Congress for emergency powers to solve the problem in the next two years. Photo shows the southbound lane of Edsa in Cubao, Quezon City, during rush hour. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

VEHICLES will soon be prohibited from loading, unloading and parking along the roads surrounding new establishments, such as offices and malls once President Rodrigo Duterte is granted emergency powers by Congress.

With the special powers, the provision for enough parking spaces and “reasonable road setbacks” for new establishments could be done within three to six months, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said in a 64-page list of projects and draft bill that it submitted to the Senate last September 2.

Copies of the list of projects and a draft measure from DOTr, proposing the grant of emergency powers for Duterte, were released to media on Monday by the office of Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services.

The implementation of the project, however, would be “indefinite” without the special powers because of the temporary of restraining orders (TROs) that would be filed by affected establishments, the DOTr said.

If Duterte is given the special powers for traffic, the government can also establish within three to six months alternate roads in identified private subdivisions to non-resident motorists.

The use of identified private subdivisions, however, may be for a limited time and the benefit of light vehicles only.

The DOTr said it could not be implemented immediately without such special powers as affected subdivisions and homeowners might file TROs.

The agency also listed the following projects, which could be implemented within three to six months if the President is granted emergency powers:

-The creation of a single traffic authority to be headed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade

-The procurement of 6.7 million driver’s license cards worth P470 million

-The procurement of 5.4 million license plates worth P1.4 billion

-The purchase of MV Plate Making Machine worth P25 million

Bus terminals will also be prohibited along major thoroughfares once the Intermodal Transport System is established within 12 months to 18 months, the DOTr said.

With special powers from Congress, the DOTr said the government could also immediately implement the PUV (public utility vehicle) modernization on affected 15 year-old PUV units.

Other proposed projects in the DOTr’s list are the following:

-Construction of a 12.3 kilometer Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line from Manila City Hall to Quezon City -Hall, which would cost the government P P4.789 billon. With special powers, the project could be implemented from 2016 up to the last quarter of 2019. Without the special power, the project could be finished in the third quarter of 2021.

-Construction of a 48.6 kilometer BRT Line covering Edsa, Ayala Avenue, Ortigas-BGC up to Ninoy Aquino International Airport worth P39.4 billion. The DOTr said it can be implemented from 2016 up to the last quarter of 2018 but without the special powers, it can be completed in the second quarter of 2020.

-Improvement of existing national roads, which would cost the government P1.59 billion, could also be done from 2016 to 2017, the DOTr said.