A House bill calls for the declaration of a “state of traffic and congestion crisis” and gives President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers and funds to solve what it dubs a “carmageddon.”
HB 3712 titled “Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act of 2016” proposes a traffic policy based on the constitutional directive promoting social justice; emergency presidential powers; formulation of a Decongestion and Transportation Network Development Reform Plan—for land-based transport, rail and toll roads, air transport, and seaports; designation of the transport department as crisis manager; special modes of procurement; safeguards through the Executive Order on Freedom of Information and a congressional oversight committee; and an initial P20 billion for its implementation.
The bill said the President “may reorganize and rationalize the existing structure of the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Civil Aeronautics Board, Metro Manila Development Authority, PNP-Highway Patrol Group, and other agencies in the transportation sector.”
The bill also provides that within six months from its enactment, the President “may abolish, merge or create agencies, offices and positions; split, group, or merge positions; adopt a rationalization plan, transfer functions, equipment, properties, records and personnel; institute drastic cost-cutting measures; and take such other related actions necessary to carry out the declared State policy.”
The bill’s author, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, also proposes special modes of procurement to immediately provide the facilities and infrastructures and cut through red tape.