Solon wants PNP-HPG out of traffic enforcement ops after 2 years

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) must no longer participate in traffic enforcement in Metro Manila after two years, Marikina Rep. Bayani Fernando said Wednesday.

In a hearing of the House committee on Metro Manila development, Fernando said traffic enforcement must remain a civilian function, meaning the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)—which he previously chaired—should be the sole authority when it comes to managing traffic in Metro Manila.

"After the emergency powers of two years, what then? I think we should consider strengthening the MMDA and remove the HPG. We can manage traffic without them," Fernando said.

The Executive branch has asked Congress to grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers for at least two years to address the country's pressing traffic and transportation problems. Bills proposing such emergency powers are pending before the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Civilian function

Fernando said that while the help of the HPG in enforcing traffic rules in Metro Manila may be needed right now, that should not be the case after two years, stressing that traffic management and enforcement must remain a civilian function.

"In my time with the MMDA, I asked the HPG to get out of Metro Manila. But now they are back here. If you can manage the traffic in Metro Manila without them, please do so. It (traffic management) should be civilian enforcement," he said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr, formerly the Department of Transportation and Communications) has recently announced that HPG personnel will soon be deployed not only along EDSA but also in other major thoroughfares of Metro Manila to assist the MMDA in traffic enforcement.

Though he did not elaborate, Fernando said he had personal knowledge of some MMDA officials and personnel getting demoralized when the HPG started participating in traffic enforcement.

"When the HPG came in, there is so much demoralization in the ranks of the MMDA, because they still have that mandate," Fernando said.

Strengthen MMDA

Fernando said he may soon file a bill that will seek the improvement of the MMDA’s traffic response capacity.

"I haven’t seen any substantial amount of budget for the MMDA that would give them equipment to manage traffic in Metro Manila. The MMDA has lost all the equipment they need," Fernando said.

"Sometimes in takes them (MMDA personnel) three to four hours just to take out stalled vehicle on the road because they lack equipment," he added.

Fernando also called on the DOTr to be more transparent with the MMDA and the local government units regarding its plans and projects, saying that the department's past officials were "very secretive."

"I never had opportunities to see those traffic and infrastructure plans even when I am the chairman of the MMDA. Itong DOTC during the previous administration was very secretive," he said.

"With the emergency powers that you are asking, I hope the DOTr will be more transparent now with its projects, because the local governments are also looking forward to them, those project are also very interesting for us," Fernando added. —KBK, GMA News