QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — Renewing his call for emergency powers to alleviate Metro Manila traffic, President Rodrigo Duterte during his First State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday said that it was up to the Congress to grant what he described “the most urgent” solution to commuters’ woes.
“The worsening traffic situation can be addressed if congress will also grant Emergency Powers,” Duterte said
He, however, said that if the congress will not grant his request for emergency powers, he said that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will have to find some other way to address it in its own pace.
It will be up to you,” he said, addressing the congress. “If you give it (emergency powers) fine, if you don’t, I’ll have to accept your (people’s) cursing.”
Duterte, however, offered other transport options to alleviate traffic including maximizing the use of the Pasig river ferry system and strengthening the anti-coorum campaign and out-of-line comprehension.
He also said that departments will have to intensify coordination with Local Government Units (LGUs) to map out secondary routes and consult various stakeholders including public transport operators.
The president vowed to order the transport department to carry out solutions immediately.
