Ejercito dismayed with absence of Cabinet members in hearing on traffic woes

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. JV Ejercito, chair of the Senate Economic Affairs Committee, expressed his disappointment for the absence of several Cabinet members and head of key agencies during the hearing on the worsening Metro Manila traffic situation.

"Umasa ako na dahil sa bigat ng problema na tatalakayin natin ngayon ay bibigyan ito ng atensiyon ng mga head of agencies... I am really disappointed they didn't come today," Ejercito said.

The senator invited the secretaries of the Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, the chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority and Transportation Czar Jose Rene Almendras, who all failed to attend the hearing.

Ejercito said that he hopes to focus on the worsening traffic situation and its economic impact which amounts to P2.4 billion in losses a day.

"The growth of the economy and the population should also cause the development of the mass transport system," the senator said.

Ejercito added that the real measure of development is the efficiency of the country's mass transport system.

He is expecting to meet the head of agencies on the next hearing scheduled on September.

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group has started to take over traffic management on EDSA.

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