Press Release
August 10, 2016

Emergency Powers for President Duterte
"Transportation Crisis must be dealt with by the government like the Drug Crisis" - Senator JV

SENATOR Joseph Victor G. Ejercito today said that the government must relatively give the same attention, time and resources in dealing with the "transportation crisis" as much as it provide against the drug crisis.

Senator Ejercito registered this in the first public hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services which discussed proposed bills giving emergency powers to President Rody Duterte to deal against transportation crisis, particularly traffic congestion.

"The transportation crisis is an urgent issue like the drug crisis. It affects the economy, the productivity of our workers, the well-being of all the members of the Filipino family and hinders our collective pursuit to achieve the country's progress and development and also to implore a sense of tranquility inside our homes and peace and order in the streets," Senator Ejercito said.

The Senate Committee on Public Services vice-chairperson explained that his proposed bill Senate Bill No. 154 seeks emergency powers for President Duterte since based on Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA, that the country's economy loses P2.4 Billion daily and that productivity of workers is diminished because of traffic congestion.

He also said traffic congestion is causing the country's "economic hemorrhage" that needs serious attention and in dire of immediate treatment. He elaborated that the proposed special powers for the president" is the first in solving our traffic situation that is cancer approaching its terminal stage."

"Our traffic crisis is no longer a laughing matter. Therefore, I am urging Senate to give President Duterte special powers for a period of two years to reform our transportation system. To execute the said reforms, the President will have the option to use any alternative modes of procurement under our Procurement Rules. Furthermore, he will be empowered to acquire real property needed as right-of-way site or location for any government transportation infrastructure. I also propose that any programs implemented using the special powers will be exempted from any court injunction. But as safeguard to the given powers and a form of check and balance, the Supreme Court will be allowed to issue an injunction," Senator Ejercito stressed.

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