Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EMERGENCY POWERS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES TO ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION CRISIS IN METRO 
MANILA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Metro Manila is currently experiencing a traffic crisis resulting in a P2,400,000,000.00 
productivity loss daily (JICA), not to mention the wasted man-hours, fuel, and opportunities 
that the people plying our busy and congested thoroughfares experience each day.  
Currently ranked as having the “worst traffic on Earth” based on a global evaluation 
conducted by Waze, a GPS-based navigation application, the current traffic situation in 
Metro Manila greatly impedes economic growth and makes life harder for working-class 
Filipinos. 
It is the aim of this bill that by giving emergency powers to the President of the Republic of 
the Philippines, long-term solutions and remedial measures in solving this crisis will 
immediately be implemented without hindrance and in the shortest time possible. Drastic 
traffic solutions are needed if we are to fight this crisis and immediate traffic measures are 
needed to be undertaken. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of 
the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 2, 2022
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR EMERGENCY POWERS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES TO ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION CRISIS IN METRO 
MANILA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as “The Traffic Crisis Act of Metro Manila 
2022.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt 
effective measures and find long-term solutions that will address the current traffic crisis that 
Metro Manila is experiencing resulting in economic loss and hardship for our countrymen 
who are plying the streets daily to get to their workplace. 
SECTION 3. Methods of Procurement. – Under the above stated policy and whenever it 
is advantageous to the government and our people, the President is hereby authorized to 
enter into contracts for the purchase, construction, repair, rehabilitation, maintenance, or 
improvement of critical transportation-related projects that aims to reduce congestion and 
ease the current traffic crisis in Metro Manila under the following methods: 
1) Direct Contracting otherwise known as Single Source Procurement – a method of
Procurement that does not require elaborate Bidding Documents because the
supplier is simply asked to submit a price quotation or a Pro-forma invoice together
with the conditions of sale, which offer may be accepted immediately or after some
negotiations.
2) Negotiated Procurement – a method of Procurement that may be resorted to under
extraordinary circumstances whereby the Procuring Entity directly negotiates a
contract with a technically, legally, and financially capable supplier, contractor, or
consultant. This method may be used subject to any of the following conditions:
(a) In case of imminent danger to life or property during a state of calamity, or when
time is of the essence arising from natural or man-made calamities or other causes
where immediate action is necessary to prevent damage to or loss of life or property;
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(b)To restore vital public services, infrastructure facilities, and other public utilities;  
 
(c) Take-over of contracts, which have been rescinded or terminated for causes 
provided for in the contract and existing laws, where immediate action is necessary 
to prevent damage to or loss of life or property or to restore vital public services, 
infrastructure facilities, and other public utilities;  
 
(d) Where the subject contract is adjacent or contiguous to an ongoing infrastructure 
project;  
 
(e) Other instances as the President may determine that require immediate action.  
 
SECTION 4. Reorganization of Various Agencies and Creation of a Centralized Traffic 
Authority. – The President is hereby authorized to reorganize the Department of 
Transportation (DOT), Land Transportation Authority (LTO), Land Transportation 
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority 
(MMDA), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to make them more effective, productive and 
responsive to solve and facilitate solutions to the current traffic crisis. The President may 
abolish, 
create, 
merge, 
and 
split 
government 
positions, 
transfer 
personnel/property/equipment 
to 
maximize 
efficiency, 
avoid 
overlapping 
of 
positions/tasks/responsibilities, and institute cost-cutting measures. Provided, that there will 
be no diminution of salaries and benefits to the affected person and those who will be 
phased out due to reorganization shall receive compensation which should conform with 
existing Civil Service and Commission on Audit rulings on the granting of salaries and 
compensations.  
 
The President may create a centralized traffic authority, which he will lead, that will take 
charge of the conceptualizing, planning, and implementation of programs and projects 
aimed at reducing traffic such as, but not limited to: 
 
1) Improvement and upgrading of the mass transport system in Metro Manila - this 
will include the Light Rail Transit (LRT), Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Philippine 
National Railways (PNR), Pasig Ferry System, and Integrated Bus Terminals.  
2) Possibility of a Mega-Manila sub-way system connecting the various business 
districts. 
3) Possible transfer of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or creation/use of 
another airport for domestic flights to lessen the number of people going to and 
from the NAIA. 
4) Implement a unified traffic system in Metro Manila to be followed by all Local 
Government Units in the National Capital Region. 
5) Create remedial measures such as but not limited to: 
a) Transfer of public markets located in busy thoroughfares; 
b) Issue implementing rules and regulations on the maintenance of motor 
vehicles and possibly remove aging and pollution-causing vehicles;  
c) Possible shifting of the working hours of government employees to non- traffic 
peak hours to lessen vehicles/passengers on the road during rush hours; 
d) Coordinate with various government agencies to facilitate/create online 
applications and processing of driver’s licenses, NBI clearance, vehicle 
registration, and the like that will lessen the need for people to go out and 
brave the traffic. 


6) Exercise the right of eminent domain to expropriate private properties for the right-
of-way used for necessary infrastructure projects and public use. 
 
SECTION 5. Appropriation of Funds. – The initial amount needed for the implementation 
of this Act shall be taken from the aggregate gross earnings of the Philippine Amusement 
and Gaming Corporation, the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge Fund created under Republic 
Act 8794, and the current fiscal year’s appropriation of the agencies involved in the 
implementation of this Act. Thereafter, the amount needed shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.  
 
SECTION 6. Duration of Grant of Powers. – The authority granted to the President under 
this Act shall be valid for a period of two (2) years from its effectivity unless sooner withdrawn 
by a resolution in Congress without prejudice to rights and benefits that may have been 
vested, and culpabilities and liabilities that may have been incurred. 
 
SECTION 7. Oversight Committee. – A Congressional Oversight Committee is hereby 
created, which shall have five (5) members from each House, to monitor the implementation 
of this Act and the exercise of the authority granted hereunder.    
 
SECTION 8. Report to Congress. – The President shall submit a quarterly report to 
Congress on the progress of the implementation of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, 
regulations, or parts or provisions of this Act, which are inconsistent herewith are hereby 
deemed repealed, amended, or modified.  
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of 
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which 
are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date 
of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
Approved,