DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Saying the traffic woes here are no different in Metro Manila, a city councilor urged the city’s inclusion in the transportation infrastructure plan to be implemented through emergency powers by the Duterte administration.
Councilor Bernard Al-ag said he would pass a resolution to DOTC, noting that the traffic crisis felt here should be given attention by Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Arthur Tugade.
“When I was listening in the congressional hearing, I observed that they only focus on the discussion and the matter in the traffic problem inside Metro and Mega Manila,” he said.
He said the traffic situation here could be considered as a crisis already.
Al-ag said the traveling hours in the city are getting worse.
For instance, he said traveling hours from Toril district en route to downtown area would take more than an hour during peak hours. During night time, from downtown area to Toril district would take more than two hours.
“If you will travel from north to Lasang area, on peak hours you will consume three hours and if you are going to the residential areas in Cabantian, and Indangan, you will travel around one hour.”
The Senate Bill No. 999 otherwise known as the “Freedom from Traffic and Congestion Act of 2016,” filed by Senator Allan Peter Cayetano gives the President the emergency power to utilize and resolve the traffic crisis in Metro Manila.
Al-ag said Davao’s small roads contributed to the traffic woes in the city.
“In Davao City, we have small roads here so we need to expand our roads,” he added.
He also said there are roads that are not used since it was occupied by informal settlers.
“If we will be included in the proposed project by Secretary Tugade then the national government can easily help us in expanding or opening new roads,” he said.
He added that if Davao City will be included in the project also, it would be easier for the informal settlers to be relocated.
“Once the emergency power will be given to the President and if he will implement this infrastructure project, it will be easier to implement these road projects here in the City,” he said. (davaotoday.com)
