by Elyse Veronika Ilagan and Krizzel Aera Canlas
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) offered plans to improve the mass transportation system so it can alleviate the knotty traffic on the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila.
In a Senate session held earlier today, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya detailed plans to extend the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2, the north-south lines of the Philippine National Railways (PNR), and the repair of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3.
“Our goal is not just to move vehicles, but to move people,” Abaya said.
However, Senate President Pro-Tempore, Sen. Ralph Recto was not convinced, and questioned the committee on which department must be blamed for the issue . "Sino ba talaga ang may kasalanan, DOTC, DPWH, o MMDA?” the senator asked.
Recto also urged the committee to hasten its plans to improve the mass transportation system.
“If we can have a special mass transit fund, could we be amenable? Hindi ba dapat, right now, we should start thinking of that?” he asked.
Answering to the query, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that mass transit systems are always on top priority.
“The priority on mass transit has always been there. Some of these will come in 2017, 2018, and 2019,”
In line with the plans of the DOTC, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Secretary Francis Tolentino declared that they have been working with the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in managing the traffic situations in Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
For the last six days, the MMDA and HPG deployed and reassigned traffic enforcers in major chokepoints, rerouted provincial and city buses, and towed illegally-parked vehicles. The Millennial Post
(Keep posted for updates to this breaking news story)
“Our goal is not just to move vehicles, but to move people,” Abaya said.
However, Senate President Pro-Tempore, Sen. Ralph Recto was not convinced, and questioned the committee on which department must be blamed for the issue . "Sino ba talaga ang may kasalanan, DOTC, DPWH, o MMDA?” the senator asked.
Recto also urged the committee to hasten its plans to improve the mass transportation system.
“If we can have a special mass transit fund, could we be amenable? Hindi ba dapat, right now, we should start thinking of that?” he asked.
Answering to the query, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said that mass transit systems are always on top priority.
“The priority on mass transit has always been there. Some of these will come in 2017, 2018, and 2019,”
In line with the plans of the DOTC, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Secretary Francis Tolentino declared that they have been working with the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in managing the traffic situations in Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
For the last six days, the MMDA and HPG deployed and reassigned traffic enforcers in major chokepoints, rerouted provincial and city buses, and towed illegally-parked vehicles. The Millennial Post
(Keep posted for updates to this breaking news story)