Poe: ‘Traffic is a deplorable reality’

Senator Grace Poe. PHOTO FROM SEN. GRACE POE’S OFFICE

“Our state of mind is such, because traffic is a deplorable reality.”

This was how Senator Grace Poe responded on Wednesday to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s reported remark that the Filipinos’ “state of mind” worsens the country’s traffic problem.

“We should not be naive to the problem but we need to focus on solutions as well. As ordinary citizens, complying with traffic rules is a start,” Poe said in a text message.

For her part, the senator promised to do what she can to pass measures that would help the government to immediately implement projects needed to address the traffic crisis, not only in Metro Manila but also in other parts of the country.

“The Department of Transportation (DOTr), on the other hand, Poe said, “should make sure that they implement a well-studied traffic plan and solution and follow thru with it.”

The DOTr has already submitted to the Senate committee on public services, chaired by Poe, a list of projects that the government plans to implement under the emergency powers for traffic being sought for President Rodrigo Duterte.

Poe said the hearing, which she temporarily halted until the submission of the detailed plans from the DOTr, will resume on September 22.

Tugade reportedly said that traffic has become a convenient excuse for tardiness.

“Even when there (was) no traffic, (people say) there was,” the transport official was quoted as saying. “A state of mind adds to the problem of traffic.”

READ: Metro Manila traffic just a ‘state of mind’

Also reacting to Tugade’s statements, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito maintained that traffic in the country is already a “crisis.”

“It’s not going to get better until we have laid down the railways,” Ejercito said in a separate text message.

“That’s why we cannot delay (the granting of the emergency powers) to address the problem any longer otherwise the streets of Manila will already choke,” he added. –Maila Ager, CDG

READ: Poe sees traffic powers for Duterte by Christmas