House panel OKs creation of traffic crisis inter-agency council
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2019 09:33:00 +0000
IN a bid to find a solution to the traffic congestion, a committee under the House of Representatives has approved the creation of a traffic crisis inter-agency management council.
The Committee on Transportation has endorsed to the Executive for immediate implementation House Resolution 353 introduced by Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento.
Under the measure, the traffic inter-agency management council will be composed of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) among other agencies and offices that will “harmonize all transport and traffic policies” to address the urgent traffic crisis in Metro Manila and the Philippines.
“There is a need for the creation and convention of an executive council with its core members consisting of the leaders of the above enumerated agencies, offices and departments, to serve as an efficient venue for consolidation and harmonization of traffic management policies and plans, further consultation with the public, and implementation of the resulting consolidated policies and plans,” the resolution read.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade had called on lawmakers to grant the President emergency powers to address the Metro Manila gridlock.
The House-approved Traffic Crisis Act, which failed to hurdle 17th Congress, designates Tugade as the traffic chief. GLEE JALEA