Press Release
April 10, 2016

CHIZ: GOV'T FAILED TO IMPROVE MASS TRANSPO, SOLVE TRAFFIC

Solving the monstrous traffic problem in urban centers is a matter of leadership, Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero said as he called out the current administration for failing to improve the country's mass transport system.

Escudero, the leading vice-presidential contender, said that allowing Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to continue leading the Department of Transportation and Communication despite his obvious inadequacies was a huge factor in the government's inability to provide better services to commuters.

"Nandiyan lahat ng plano pero hindi ipinapatupad. Ang problema nasa pagpapatupad ng mga plano at pagsasaayos ng mga kontrata," Escudero said during the vice-presidential debate held at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

He noted that the administration has done nothing but justify the shortcomings of its officials.

"Dapat tigilan na ang kapalpakan sa pamumuno. Tigilan na ang paghahanap ng dahilan kaugnay sa hindi pagpapatupad ng proyekto. Puro pagdadahilan ang naririnig natin mula sa administrasyong ito," Escudero said.

The independent vice-presidential candidate, who hails from Sorsogon, particularly laments the slow implementation of the Bicol airport rehabilitation.

"Ang airport namin sa Daraga, tatlong bidding na ang na-ka-cancel--tatlong beses nang nag-bidding, hindi natutuloy. Apat na taon nang delayed 'yon. Ganoon din ang ibang mga proyekto na dapat sana'y matagal nang nasimulan. Ni isa sa mga ipinangako ng administrasyong ito, sa airport man o sa tren, wala po silang halos nagawa," he said.

Escudero and top presidential bet Sen. Grace Poe have called for stronger leadership to solve the traffic problems in the country's megacities such as Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

With a population of 11.5 million--24 million including the residents of neighboring Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas and Laguna--Metro Manila is reported to have the worst traffic situation in 32 countries and 167 major cities surveyed by the motoring app Waze in 2015.

To reduce the volume of traffic, Escudero said he would push for an all-out war against colorum vehicles and the digitization of basic frontline services of the government.

"No human intervention. Makakabawas po 'yan sa traffic sa ating bansa," he said.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency estimated that the country stands to lose P6 billion a day by 2030 if the traffic situation is not addressed today. In 2012, the cost of traffic was already estimated at P2.4 billion a day.

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