MANILA, Philippines – Will the Traffic Crisis Act live up to its goal of ending traffic problems hounding the three biggest and busiest metropolitan areas in the country?
The proposed measure was approved on Tuesday by the House committee on transportation and will soon be up for debates in plenary.
The bill seeks to adopt effective measures to address the traffic crisis in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao. It will also give vast powers to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, who will be designated as the Traffic Chief.
The Traffic Chief shall formulate, coordinate, and monitor policies, standards, programs and projects to rationalize existing public transport operations, infrastructure requirements, the use of thoroughfares, safe movement of persons and goods, the administration and implementation of all traffic enforcement operations, traffic engineering services, and traffic education programs.
The Traffic Chief is also tasked to harmonize the provisions of existing laws related to traffic management, road use, and all rules, regulations, ordinances and orders duly issued and implemented by covered agencies.
He may also review, modify, override or cancel franchises, concessions, contracts, permits and licenses issued by any of the covered agencies or component local government units, and confiscate, suspend or revoke driver’s licenses for violations of traffic laws.
The bill also contains provisions on the following:
-Route rationalization for public utility vehicles;
-Revocation and modification of PUV franchises and permits;
-Suspension of PUV franchising authority;
-Government takeover of franchises;
-Traffic impact plan