Traffic not DOTr’s mandate, Tolentino says

Senator Francis Tolentino on Friday came to the defense of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade after Senator Grace Poe called for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief’s replacement over the traffic crisis, particularly in Metropolitan Manila.

But Tolentino, a former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman, said traffic management is not the mandate of the DOTr.

The neophyte senator said Tugade should not be blamed for the persisting traffic problem in Metro Manila, vouching for his work in the DOTr.

“Our current traffic problem should, in no way, undermine the capacity of Secretary Tu

gade to lead DOTr and perform the duties of his office. I have personally witnessed this guy’s dedication to work and his commitment to make a difference,” Tolentino said.

“Masipag itong taong ito (This man is hardworking), at more than fit for the job of a Transportation secretary,” he added.

Tolentino was part of President Duterte’s Cabinet before being elected senator in the May, 2019 polls. He authored Senate Bill No. 213 reviving the proposal to grant emergency powers to the Chief Executive to address the traffic crisis.

But the issue on the grant of emergency powers put Tugade and Poe at loggerheads, with the senator questioning the request for the special powers as the DOTr supposedly lacked specific plans to solve the traffic problem.

Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, has said she is not against the proposed emergency powers but emphasized that she, like her colleagues in Senate, should be convinced by a well-studied master plan.

“I am for anything that will solve traffic. We are all victims of this. I am for it if it is guaranteed that they have a plan,” Poe said Friday.

Tugade denied Poe’s allegations of lack of master plan, saying the DOTr has transport infrastructure plans which they failed to present in the Senate public services committee hearing last Tuesday.

Backing Tugade, Tolentino said the DOTr’s transportation plan is different from a traffic management plan.

The neophyte senator said the DOTR’s job is to “continually improve our transport system and ensure that our transportation facilities are efficient, cost-effective and reliable.”

“Huwag po natin isisi kay Sec, Tugade at sa DOTr ang walang katapusang problema natin sa trapiko (We should not blame Sec. Tugade and the DOTr for the endless traffic problem). The secretary and his department can only do as much with whatever resources and authority they have at their disposal,” he said.

“Kaya nga po isinusulong natin ang emergency powers para sa Pangulo upang mas mapabilis ang pagpapatupad ng mga (That was why we are pushing for the emergency powers for the President to fasttrack the implementation of) infrastructure programs designed to help ease traffic,” he added.

Tolentino’s SB 213 designates the DOTr secretary as the “traffic czar” who shall serve as the President’s alter-ego in implementing the emergency powers.

Tugade, on Friday, echoed the President and said he, too, will not anymore beg Congress to grant them the emergency powers.

“Kung ayaw nila ibigay, huwag na, kasi paiksi nang paiksi ang oras (If they refuse to give us the emergency powers, then don’t, because we are already losing time),” Tugade said in an television interview Friday morning.

He claimed that Poe is using the emergency powers issue for her plans to run for president in 2022.

Responding to Poe’s call for his replacement at DOTr, Tugade said: “Masyadong bilib sa sarili (She’s too full of herself). I serve only at the pleasure of the President. Not subject to the whims, caprice, and theatrics of misguided politician.”

The DOTr also came to Tugade’s defense, saying the Transportation chief is all “work, action, and less chatter.”

“Sa ilalim ng mandatong saklaw ng DOTr, hindi po patas na paratangang underperforming ang Kalihim ng Transportasyon dahil hindi ito totoo (Under the DOTr’s mandate, it is unjust to accused the Transportation secretary of underperforming because it is not true),” the DOTr said, pointing out several projects carried out under Tugade’s first three years in office.

“Madam Senator, hindi po ugali ni Secretary Tugade ang matulog sa pansitan (Madam Senator, Secretary Tugade does not have the habit of sleeping on the job),” the Department stated.

The agency stressed that under Tugade’s leadership, the DOTr implements 24/7 construction work and operates partial operability timelines precisely as they want to deliver public transport services to Filipinos immediately.