Philippine Presidential platform of government which the country watches over once elected

ISSUE NO. 2 – CONGESTED TRAFFIC Karen Davila (Moderator) Our second issue – extreme hassles on traffic.  This is all throughout the day in Metro Manila, which is beleaguering even the rides in MRT and LRT. Should we just remain suffering?  This is Aling Perla’s story.  Aing Perla Suan (Voter): Good evening!  As a long time commuter, traffic really causes so much hassle.  We are after the hours, exhaustion, money that we are wasting which are supposed to be spent for our families Being a candidate, what immediate solution can you provide to address our difficulty in traffic not only in EDSA but in Metro, including the entire Philippines? Thank you very much.

	SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC
	5	0
First, we have to build a new railway system connecting Manila to the interconnected provinces like Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna. (1) Second, we have to have an entirely new railway system connecting Manila to Sorsogon. (2) Third, we have to have a new modern airport because we have been classed as one of the worst airports in the world. (3) Finally, the president must appeal very strongly for discipline among drivers both public and private. And then, he should lean on the LTO to make sure that those who get licenses are qualified persons because you can buy a license any time, any time. (4) So, there are ways of solving the traffic problem and there is no need to despair. Help should be coming, but I know where the funds – where to finance these – who are to fund these projects except that I might over (5) – go overtime. Number one, if we build infrastructure. Number two, if we are – manufacturing is robust. And number three, if our agriculture is modern.
COMMENTARY:
1). Although these projects are already on-going as mentioned by Sec. Mar Roxas, I’m taking her claim as realistic since she’s known for being an achiever.  These projects may or may not be completed by the next administration depending on the movement of corruption index in the country which has a direct impact on budget management but because she’s recognized as a fighter against corruption, this could be possible.

	MAYOR RODRIGO DUTERTE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC
	4	1
There is no silver bullet and magic to solve the current traffic problem. And the six years that's given to the president – and maybe I would take about a year or two to improve. (1) One MRT, LRT and build another as suggested by – I’l just copy Madam Santiago’s. We have to build new railways, the fastest and where, maybe along Pasig River, because you will no longer pay the road right of way. (2) But just the same, I have to improve the present situation. So I will ask LRT and MRT to add more trains and it should be like every ten or five minutes will have… so that we can accomodate people without limits, (3) I said, the streets of the motor vehicles. We are pumping in 300,000 plus thousand motor vehicles every month. These penetrate our highways, in EDSA. Where do we place them? And we cannot stop them except that we have to improve the mass transit of people, then try to explain that one by one for those dilapidated and earlier models must be out of EDSA. (4) That's the only solution that can happen. Nothing else would really solve the problem. (1) That's the reality on the ground.
COMMENTARY:
1). Since Sen. Grace Poe presents the idea of the possibility of putting up a subway system as other alternative apart from the other options, his claim in this segment that it’s the only solution that can happen in resolving congestion in traffic is idealistic.

	SENATOR GRACE POE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC
	8	0
We can do a lot.  This is not easy but we will start on road clearing and widening.  Our roads are not personal parking lot of our countrymen.  Begin there, enforce the law. (1) Second, the on-going projects like South Luzon Skyway and North Luzon Connector Road should be finished.  (2) The proposed delivery by 2018 of our LRT-7 which has already a groundbreaking should be monitored (3) so our countrymen from Trinoma up to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan can travel.  The LRT extension up to Cavite as promised long time ago should already be made. (4) These are the ones that we could see as of this time. Our plan should not be on a short-term only.   We should think of long term. You know, it can be possible to have a subway system for quicker transportation (5) – they’re saying that this is prone to floods, but the subway in other countries is underwater so it is possible here. Second, the PNR should have reached then; in 1800s it could already reach as far as Dagupan, (6) why it can’t be for now?  This was completed in five years from Manila to Dagupan, but our generation can’t do it until now.  Then I will appoint a secretary who is a traffic terminator, whose job is but close monitoring of the project completion, right of way, which has to be submitted urgently to avoid stagnance. (7) Cebu and Cagayan de Oro should also have MRT…and other parts of the Philippines.  (8)
COMMENTARY:
What’s good about here is that she acknowledges the on-going projects of the present administration which means that she does not claim efforts that are not hers.  So it’s a good sign that her mind marks certain projects that need to be accomplished by next administration, than attempting to condition the minds of the people that she conceptulalizes these and will be doing these specific projects when she is elected , which are actually already on-going under the previous administration.

	SECRETARY MAR ROXAS
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC
	7	1
I understand your difficulty Perla Mae, and this is the one that we’re really concentrating on. This is the truth - the ones that our rivals are promising were already on-going.  For example on MRT, they promise to add more trains, for now we program on this.  Every month, 12 new trains are coming in which are included in the current system. (1) By the end of one year, 144 freight cars will be added. (2)  The rail car will be given to MRT 7. The MRT – that will already be MRT 3.  The MRT 7 has already its groundbreaking.  (3) We have financial close, awarding which are already on process.   It has already been started and there is a deadline of completion. LRT 2 will be extended up to Masinag, Antipolo which is on-going and will be finished by 2017.  (4) The extension which was mentioned a while ago is connected to Bacoor, and we will bring that to Dasmariñas and Calamba. (5)  This is the fast trail that we will continuously be accomplishing. This has already been bid out up to Bacoor, which is phase 2 connecting Calamba.    Everything is on-going. (6) Most importantly is the overhauling of franchise.  This shall be bid to avoid crowding passengers and occupying of many lanes. (7) These are the concrete….solution that we will accomplish. (1)
COMMENTARY:
1). These projects as solution to congested traffic are interesting because taken from experience, I would consume more than three hours going to the office from our house when I worked in Ortigas Center and more than 2 hours going to Makati when I was employed in this city.  And this is because of congested traffic not only along Aguinaldo highway but also in EDSA.  Nonetheless, he should also think of a forecasted contingency for its potential consequence because naturally that would divert the passengers’ patronage from bus to MRT.  Bus operators will now be affected in terms of income so what will happen to the bus condoctors and drivers if passengers diminish?  What can be the alternative jobs that can be readily suitable to all ages in case bus operation is no longer income attractive because of the passengers that are transferred to MRT? Lesser passengers would mean lesser bus in the roads, and lesser bus on the roads would mean lesser manpower, and lesser manpower would mean reduction of employees.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC
	3	1
You know Aling Perla, those are all plans, tons of plan of programs about addressing the traffic.  But the problem is still the same, Why?  Because implementation never happens.  That’s why all these planning will be pointless if one is inexperienced on implementation and incapacitated to implement. (1) What I meant Aling Perla is – this should be accomplished – by deploying a competent and has the aptitude to manage problem on traffic congestion. (2) In fact, I’m planning to divide the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). (1) There will be Department of Transportation and Department on Communication. Third, I was a governor of Metro Manila and took charge of Metro Manila Development Authority.  There are three guides on addressing traffic problems - education, enforcement, engineering. (3) There were a lot of better plans on engineering.  In fact some of them were mentioned here. Everything has not changed. These can’t be changed.  The ones who are supposed to implement them are flawed.
COMMENTARY:
1). I would agree that the implementation is the problem because I myself could witness the poor execution on regulating traffic congestions.  There are public vehicles which are stuck in some parts of the roads taking them as if it’s their terminals to wait for the influx of passengers, which blocks the passage and thus creating traffic.  Second there are several stop lights that are not working so the flow of the vehicles cannot be in balance.  I should know because my job was in sales so everyday I am in different areas in metro manila. Lastly, extortion can also be one of the factors because these violators cannot be disciplined because they are confident that they can clear up any violations anyway by monetary settlement.

Karen Davila (Moderator) We still have 30 seconds.  At this point, everybody can react, clarify or challenge anyone for the plans you have heard from your opponents.

	SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC (REACTIONS)
	0	1
I mentioned earlier that we will have a new capital city, somewhere near Clark area. And in that city, there would be not only a new government center like the one they have in Malaysia, an IT Park but also an educational center. (1)
COMMENTARY:
1). The plan is good but the follow up question would be the same: when it will be materialized?  The problem on traffic needs an urgent solution as this affects yield not only on corporate aspects but on family ties issues as this eat so much time which can already be enjoyed by bonding of the loved ones.

Karen Davila (Moderator) Mayor Duterte, you have stated earlier and in other interview that there is no solution to traffic in Metro Manila.  You have also mentioned to burn these cars instead.

	MAYOR RODRIGO DUTERTE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC (REACTIONS)
	1	1
No, and I said there is no immediate and urgent solution there. (As I say), as long as we continue to pump in new cars or even those fabricated, traffic would always be a problem. (1) It's mass transit.  Add more trains, to the extension gradually.  That is doable in six years. (1) On long term – I will copy the one that Maam has said, that’s equally good.
COMMENTARY:
1). Stopping of pumping in new cars would mean stopping of car importation.  Stopping of importation would mean reduced productivity on car industry.  How would they survive at a certain period if importation is stopped? If this is so, how long would the dinscontinuation prevail?

Karen Davila (Moderator) Senator Grace Poe, who will be your appointed traffic terminator?

Sen. Grace Poe: Is it deducted in my time?  Because I’d like to add more.  No? Karen Davila:  Is there a name?

	SENATOR GRACE POE
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC (REACTIONS)
	2	1
There is – no. There is no name yet, but should be competent, with engineering background, or really with expertise on traffic. But Karen, this is what I’d like to say.  Indeed there are better plans, but of no use if not implemented. (1) For example, other projects that were on bidding lasted for three years.  It is really important that the president monitors.  President’s call to the mayor is different, “Mayor, the right of way there is a problem.”  So that everything is quick. (2) But I would also like to say, drivers can also be provided with incentive.  They should be rewarded when they’re doing the right thing. (1)
COMMENTARY:
1). Incentive scheme for the drivers should have been given at least an estimated amount as to how much to make it more realistic, attractive and valuable to the hearer.

	SECRETARY MAR ROXAS
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC (REACTIONS)
	1	0
I just like to point out the one which Vice President mentioned about splitting or separating of DOTC.  In fact, based on comprehensive study, one of the factors of traffic was pointed to the separation of DOTC, the transport to DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) that’s why plans are incompatible. The roads, rails, underground are mismatched.  I will restore the transport in the Department of Works and Highways, those who take care of the trains should be under one management for coherent plan. (1)

Karen Davila (Moderator) Vice President Binay, it's your turn and 30 seconds to react.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
	RATINGS
	REALISTIC	IDEALISTIC
	ISSUE NO. 2 - CONGESTED TRAFFIC (REACTIONS)
	1	0
FILIPINO VERSION	TRANSLATION	COMMENTARY
I’ll just add something. Hope these rails could already be fixed.  I am from Makati.  Do you know the rails of the train? It stops over in Makati. That should already be two-way rail.  Because you know one rail of a train is equivalent to 4 roads. (1)  So we really need an efficient mass transit. This will be very helpul to the riding public if converted into a two-way course because that would mean increased interval of transport schedule to avoid the passengers on long waiting.

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