The Senate is conducting an inquiry into the request of President Rodrigo Duterte that the executive branch be granted emergency powers to solve the severe traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
Senator Grace Poe made an audio-visual presentation on the result of the inspections she made in several provincial bus stations.
She showed pictures of the sad plight of commuters given the very poor facilities and services of bus operators and owners.
The senator also interviewed many passengers who relayed their complaints to her.
It was during the President’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he asked Congress for emergency powers to address the traffic jams in Metro Manila.
Various groups in the transport sector are present in the hearing being jointly conducted by the Senate Committees on Public Services, Constitutional Amendments and Finance.