(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte has tasked the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to escort ambulances during emergencies to make sure they arrive on time in the hospital.
Duterte made the remark following an Agence France Presse report that said several patients have died on their way to medical institutions because of clogged roads.
“Pag emergency…pag may sirena, hilahin na lang (ng police, MMDA escort),” he said.
The President has acknowledged the traffic problem on Edsa, and has asked for Congress for emergency powers.
But Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, said she was not convinced the grant of emergency powers was needed.
In a hearing on the proposed bus ban on Edsa on Tuesday, Sept. 10, Poe said she believes the Department of Transportation could address the problem on its own.
