(Eagle News)–The Palace on Wednesday, Oct. 9, blamed previous administrations for the country’s transport woes, saying the current status of the public transportation system was “a product of many years of neglect.”
In a statement, Panelo maintained, however, that there was no mass transit crisis, as claimed by leftist group Bayan.
“[W]hen I said there is no mass transit crisis, I meant there is no mass transit crisis simply because there is no mass transit paralysis. Even the recent nationwide transport strike failed in paralyzing the mass transport,” he said.
He said that while he disagrees with Bayan’s theory, it “does not mean that I am unaware of the vexing daily commute, as well as the burden caused by the worsening traffic conditions in Manila.”
The administration, he said, is currently rehabilitating the Metro Rail Transit 3 and building the Metro Manila Subway, MRT7, Common Station, LRT1 Cavite Extension and Philippine National Railways Clark.
He added President Rodrigo Duterte had asked for emergency powers to address traffic but Congress “opted not to” grant them.
“Everyone who commutes or drives suffers every day but solutions to solve it are not insuperable, and this administration is doing its best to provide not just immediate but also long-term solutions,” he said.