Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2132
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The traffic situation in Metro Manila has reached an alarming scale that it has become a
national disaster. In a recent study conducted by the Japan Intemational Cooperation
Agency (JICA), it was found that the Philippines is now losing PhP 3.5 billion a day due to
traffic in Metro Manila alone.’

However foreboding the situation is, it is not like we are at the mercy of the traffic blight.
There are solutions readily available and there is a basic algorithm for its remedy.

It would take a strong political will to prescribe certain measures necessary and proper to
effectively address the chronic problem. It would take behavioral change and social
engineering to adopt and uphold the traffic measures. It takes a little paradigm shift and a bit
of going out of the comfort zone in order to set forth the parameters that lend themselves to
the long-term solution

This emergency measure seeks to stave off all other emergencies in the future. It would
specifically empower the Chief Executive, as allowable under the Constitution, to:

1. enter into direct agreements with contractors for the construction, repair or
maintenance of crucial infrastructure and projects subject to certain conditions
institute state-of-the-art traffic mitigating measures
abolish or create offices as he deems expedient and as far as it is constitutional
realign existing funds for the purpose of funding certain traffic projects
authorize personnel from different agencies to assist in traffic mitigation

. issue an Executive Order creating the Metro Manila Traffic & Transportation Task
Force having control and supervision over traffic-related offices, such as LTFRB,
LTO, PNP. LGUs, etc.

PAREN

Desperate times call for desperate measures and Congress would do well to seek the
immediate passage of this proposed bil

+ https://cnnphilippines.com/transportation/2018/02/23/ICA-P3.5-billion-traffic. html


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
2

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo

AN ACT
GRANTING SPECIFIC EMERGENCY POWERS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE METRO
MANILA GRIDLOCK

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Metro Manila Gridlock Act”.

SEC. 2. Itis hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt timely, adequate and
effective measures to address the Metro Manila gridlock that has taken its toll on national
economy and normal social life

SEC. 3. To promptly address the Metro Manila gridlock, the following laws or
provisions are hereby suspended for a period of four (4) years from the effectivity hereof:

(a) Provisions of the Local Government Code (RA 7160) requiring prior consultation with,
and approval of local government units, with respec to trafi-related projects within
their respective localities;

(b) Provisions of the Labor Code requiring clearances and permits for the employment of
foreigners, as regards foreign technicians working in traffic-related projects;

(©) Provisions of the Urban Development and Housing Act (RA 7279) relating to land
rights and rights of way acquisition of such rights by concerned government agencies
for traffic-related projects.

SEC. 4. The President is hereby authorized to prescribe and implement a more
expeditious process for the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate for traffic-
related projects, waiving for this purpose the requirements of P.D. 1151, P.D. 1586, Proc.
No. 2146 and P.D. 705.

SEC. 5. The President is hereby empowered to reorganize the Metro Manila
Development Authority (MMDA) to make it more effective and responsive to the Metro
Manila gridlock. For this purpose, the President may abolish or create offices; split, group or
merge positions, transfer functions, appropriations, equipment, properties, records and
personnel; and take such other related functions to carry out the purpose of this Act.
Nothing in this provision shall result in the diminution of present salaries and benefits of the
personnel of the MMDA.

SEC. 6. The President is hereby empowered to realign existing funds for the purpose
of carrying out the provisions of this Act .


SEC. 7. The President is hereby empowered to authorize personnel from different
government agencies to assist in the mitigation of traffic in the metropolis.

SEC. 8. The President is hereby empowered to issue an Executive Order creating
the Metro Manila Traffic and Transportation Task Force having control and supervision over
traffic-related offices, such as LTFRB, LTO, PNP, LGUs, etc., for a coordinated traffic-
control.

SEC. 9. The President is hereby empowered to institute state-of-the-art traffic
mitigating measures, including but not limited to:
{a) Synchronized coordinated signal lights
(b) Smart road signaling
(c) Electronic road pricing
(d) Installation of RFIDs in vehicles
(e) Construction of modular steel flyovers

SEC. 10. The powers herein granted to the President shall be valid for a period of
four (4) years from the effectivity of this Act. Such powers may be extended or withdrawn at
any time by resolution of Congress.

SEC. 11. The president shall make a report to Congress on action taken on matters
delegated to him under this Act at the end of the period herein prescribed

SEC. 12. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and publication in the Official
Gazette.

Approved,