House of Representatives to prioritize legislated road map to solve traffic problems
By Jovee Marie dela Cruz
Following a meeting with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the incoming leadership of the House of Representatives vowed to include in its priority measures legislation for a 30-year road map that they believe will end traffic jams and improve mobility nationwide.
The plan, according to incoming House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez of Leyte, includes construction of more international airports, as well as the rehabilitation of existing airports. Romualdez said on Sunday this was what Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said during a meeting with lawmakers at an exclusive golf club last week.
Romualdez said Albay Rep. Joey Salceda has committed to be an author of the proposed transport road map in the 18th Congress.
For his part, Tugade said the road map should be legislated to ensure that it will be carried out by succeeding administrations.
He said the roadmap will contain all modes of transportations and set in place an integrated and more coordinated approach in building transport infrastructure linkages in the entire country.
“I am seeking all your help to ensure that this road map will be approved by Congress. Without legislation, this road map will remain just a program that may be scrapped by future administrations,” the DOTr chief told lawmakers.
According to the secretary, various transport-related agencies and local governments have been trying to develop their respective transport plans or strategies to address bottlenecks and improve outcomes in the transport sector.
Source: Business Mirror