Alvarez withdrawing support for emergency powers for traffic

by Ben Rosario September 12, 2016

http://www.mb.com.ph/alvarez-withdrawing-support-for-emergency-powers-for-traffic/

Dissatisfied with the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) performance in taking initial steps to address the traffic crisis in Metro Manila, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has admitted having a change of heart in his support for the grant state officials with emergency powers to solve the traffic problem.

Alvarez aired his most recent stand on the emergency power bill after attending last week’s budget hearing on DOTr’s proposed P55.4 billion expenditures for 2017.

Himself a former DOTr secretary, Alvarez said he is disappointed with the two-month performance of the current department officials, saying they have done little to ease the traffic crisis although certain powers to address the situation are still within their reach.

Alvarez questioned some of the officials for their lackluster performance.

“It cannot be that we would allow blanket emergency powers. We have to identify which areas will need emergency powers. It cannot be a blanket coverage,” the House leader said.

“I’m not satisfied with their performance so far. They are in their first 100 days and we should be experiencing changes already. They should have done this yesterday,” Alvarez added.

Subjected to Alvarez’s intense grilling were Transportation Undersecretary for Railway Noel Kintanar, Undersecretary for Air Operations Bobby Lim, and Undersecretary for Land Transport Anneli Lontoc.

The House leader chided the perceived underperformance of some of the Transportation undersecretaries.

In particular, he scored Lim for visiting only one airport – Davao airport – out of the country’s 80 airports in the more than two months he has been in office.

“Seventy days and Davao only? How will you address the problems of the airports if you have not visited them? You should know the status of every airport in this country. It’s better you visit the airports so you get a clear picture,” Alvarez said.

Accoring to him, the House leadership is decided at helping ensure the success of the Duterte administration but this cannot be done unless officials of the executive department will continue to perform below par.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured Alvarez that he personally handpicked his team in the department and is confident of their expertise, integrity and the heart to really serve the public.

“I will not surround myself with people who have vested interests. If I see conflict of interest, I will not take that sitting down,” Tugade said.