Lawmakers on Thursday rallied behind all the possible measures that will address the heavy traffic in Metro Manila, including the grant of emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte.
House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano will consider the renewed request of Transportation Sectary Arthur Tugade to Congress to grant emergency powers to the President.
“We are committed to help the President address the traffic woes in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities,” Romualdez said after Tugade made his appeal during a budget briefing Thursday before the House committee on appropriations.
“Traffic congestion is now a national emergency that undermines the lives of many people, the country’s economy and our productivity.”
Tugade attended the budget hearing of the Transportation Department at the House of Representatives.
He said the grant of emergency powers was supposed to speed up the procurement process and the resolution of right-of-way issues related to programs.
And Congress could exercise its oversight function to check on the possible abuses and corruption in granting the emergency powers to the President.
“While the grant of emergency powers is limited, we are removing the oversight power of Congress,” Tugade told the lawmakers.
Abu said President Duterte should be authorized to exercise all powers necessary to finally put an end to the traffic crisis.
“The perennial traffic gridlock in Metro Manila must be resolved now. We need to consider bestowing President Duterte with emergency powers to solve traffic jams, said Abu who filed House Bill 2091 or the Proof-of-Parking Space Act.
Abu’s bill requires a vehicle buyer to present a notarized affidavit of a permanent parking space or facility for his vehicle before he can buy one.