By Ben Rosario
Caught in legislative traffic jam for nearly three years, the bill granting government emergency powers to address the traffic crisis that has gripped the country’s urban centers was finally approved on final reading by the House of Representatives.
Passed following after receiving 188 affirmative votes, House Bill 6425 or the “Traffic Crisis Act of 2017. Makiisa, Makisama, Magkaisa” proposes to adopt “responsive, effective and comprehensive measures” that will solve the crisis through various immediate solutions that include the putting up of mass transportation in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao.
Eight congressmen present during rthe Monday session registered “nay” votes.
The bill consolidates 14 bills and one resolution that were endorsed by the Duterte administration. Among the authors of the legislative measures were key former and current House leaders, including Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PDP-Laban, Pampanga); former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (PDP-Laban, Davao del Norte); Minority Leader Danilo Suarez (Lakas-CMD, Quezon); Majority Leader Rolando Andaya (PDP-Laban, Camarines Sur); Reps. Rodolfo Farinas (PDP-Laban, Ilocos Norte); Winston Castelo (PDP-Laban, Quezon City); Federico Sandoval (PDP-Laban, Navotas); and Gus Tambunting (PDP-Laban, Paranaque City).
It took the Lower House nearly three years to take final action on the measure which includes House Bill 03 that was filed even before the 17th Congress was formally opened in July 2016.
President Rodrigo Duterte had previously moved for the immediate approval of the measure but had apparently changed his mind for fear that its passage would trigger massive corruption.
The bill proposes to harmonize all traffic rules, regulations, ordinances and other issuance in the covered metropolitan areas. It will also reform, modernize and streamline the mass transpiration systems.
HB 6425 designates the Secretary of the Department of Transportation as the de officio traffic chief who will be clothed with an expansive authority aimed at immediately putting an end to land transport crisis.
He will be clothed with power of control and supervision over all land transportation agencies, including the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Council headed by a Cebu Coordinator and the Davao Administrator.
It provides for a three-year period of effectivity unless sooner withdrawn by Congress.
Under the bill, completion of a route rationalization for public utility vehicles will have to be realized within eight months upon its enactment.
Aside from other powers aimed at addressing the traffic crisis, the traffic chief will enjoy the power to revoke or modify PUV franchises to conform to the viable capacity of a certain route. He will also have the authority to restrict the eligibility for PUV franchises.
The traffic chief may also take over PUV frnachise operation as well as restore it.
The legislative proposal provides for the suspension of the power of local government units to issue franchises for tricycles, padyak and other PUV transport units not covered by the Land Transportation and Franchising Board.
The application of the Local Government Code providing for prior consultation on traffic related programs and that of the Labor Code will be suspended upon approval of the measure.
Non-compliance to the provisions of the measure may be penalized as provided unde Republic Act 9184 or the anti-graft law.
The bill also creates Special Traffic Crisis Courts that will have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and resolve all actions emanating from the implementation of the Traffic Crisis Act.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/04/house-passes-bill-giving-govt-emergency-powers-in-traffic-crisis/
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