Bill giving Duterte emergency powers to solve traffic problems filed in Senate

A bill seeking to grant emergency powers for two years to President Rodrigo Duterte to address traffic problems in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, and other highly urbanized cities has been filed in the Senate.

Senator Francis Tolentino, who filed Senate Bill 213, said the traffic congestion crisis must be considered a national emergency due to its detrimental effects on life, economy, and productivity.

“This bill proposes to declare the existence of a national emergency in view of the traffic and congestion crisis in Metropolitan Manila, Metropolitan Cebu, and other highly urbanized cities...to authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to restrictions, to exercise powers necessary to effectively address the said national emergency,” he said.

Under the bill, the Transportation Secretary will be designated chairman—the traffic czar who shall be under the direct control and supervision of the President.

As the alter-ego of the President, the traffic czar will be authorized to exercise all powers necessary, utilize all resources, exercise police power and eminent domain, and employ executive actions and measures.

The czar shall also create a Traffic  Crisis Action and Mobility Plan. He may also take over or direct the operation of any kind of public utility vehicle as may be necessary to implement the law.

A similar bill was filed in the Senate in the 17th Congress but it was shelved.

The House of Representatives, on the other hand, approved its version of the bill but it cannot be made into law without the counterpart bill from the Senate. — BM, GMA News