Metro Cebu Loses PHP145-M Daily Due to Traffic — Dino

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino said Metro Cebu loses an estimated PHP145 million a day because of delays caused by traffic.

Dino, who spoke before a House of Representatives public hearing on Saturday in Lapu-Lapu City on the proposed emergency power for the President to solve traffic in the country, said he hopes that the serious solution needed to fix traffic in Metro Cebu would unite its local government units.

“Cebu and the Cebuanos are desperate to solve the traffic problem. Desperate circumstances like this entail a desperate move,” Dino said.

”And we are one in saying that the one and only move to solve traffic congestion is granting emergency powers to the President,” he said.

Mayors Paz Radaza of Lapu-Lapu and Luis Gabriel Quisumbing of Mandaue also agreed with the need for emergency powers to ease the traffic that hounds millions of commuters, including residents of their cities.

The cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu are among the most affected by the traffic congestion in Metro Cebu.

Nine Cebuano House members have expressed support for a bill that will give President Rodrigo R. Duterte emergency powers to solve traffic in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

They are Reps. Raul del Mar and Rodrigo Abellanosa of Cebu City and Cebu Reps. Gerard Gullas (first district), Wilfredo Caminero (second district), Gwen Garcia (third district), Benhur Salimbangon (fourth district), Red Durano (fifth district), Jonas Cortes (sixth district) and Aileen Radaza (lone district of Lapu-Lapu City).

“It was a very productive hearing. I’m glad I requested the chairman to have this hearing here,” del Mar said.

Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, who heads the House Transportation committee, said the public hearing explored the scope of the traffic crisis in Metor Manila and Metro Cebu. (PNA)
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