[ad_1]
• The transport infrastructure should be delivered as soon as possible, especially with Build, Build, Build. But is the government ready to provide all these plans? Professor UP Dayo Montalbo says while Duterte's administration was entering its third year in power
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been "very slow" in its deployment of projects aimed at improving mobility across the Philippines, according to experts, while the Duterte administration has completed its second year in office.
In 2017, Metro Manila the 3rd worst in traffic in Southeast Asia. With limited options, commuters are forced to waste hours in traffic.
In an interview, former Undersecretary of Transportation Primitivo Cal stated that the DOTR had failed to counter the deterioration of traffic in Metro Manila. Duterte Administration
"It's been more than two years since we still have congestion problems, we still have problems with the MRT3 (Metro Rail Transit Line 3), they do not grant enough d & # 39; Pay attention to the transport system "Cal, now a professor at the University of the Philippines-Diiliman, told Rappler.
State of Transport
The former transportation manager cited the recent report of the Commission on Audit (COA)
According to the ACO, 144 of the 150 locally funded projects and nine foreign-aid projects were implemented "slowly", with less than 75% of their total funding being released. [19659011] DELAYED. This chart shows the disbursement rate of funds from locally and internationally funded projects. CO Chart ” data-parentid=””/>
DELAYED. This chart shows the disbursement rate of funds from locally and internationally funded projects. Chart of CO
The bulk of these slow-moving projects involved the marine and aviation sectors. Among 46 airport projects, only 16 received funding, while 47 of 77 projects for ports, lighthouses and ports were funded in 2017.
In total, DOTr did not not spent 12 billion pesos the 2017 national budget, according to state auditors.
The past year has also seen almost daily breakdowns of the 18-year-old MRT3, following the termination of his contract with the previous entrepreneur Busan Universal Rail Incorporated in November 2017 due to # 39, poor service. [19659005] Another controversy involving the MRT3 is the non-use of 48 trains delivered in 2016 by the CRRC based in Dalian China due to compatibility issues. DOTr has asked the German TUV Rheinland to conduct an audit of the trains "that can be used" later in the year. (READ: Dalian trains may be used later this year but …)
. Representatives of MRT3, TUV Rheinland, and representatives of the ADB-Australia Joint Advisory Committee on Aid attended the completion of the Dalian train weighing tests at the Quezon City MRT depot on April 19 2018. Photo of Inoue Jaena / Rappler
It also took two years for the DOTr to finally start distributing license plates, after years d & # 39; arrears. The backlog was a result of legal issues raised by the controversial contract of P3.8 billion proposed in 2013,
The National Authority for Economic Affairs and Development (NEDA) has identified 75 high priority projects, 55 of which are related to transportation. Of the latter, only 7 started construction in 2017.
Cal said the current DOTr officials should have known how to speed up the deployment of projects, and how to address them. Other problems since these are not new and have been around before their appointment. (READ: Duterte's infrastructure boost hits and miss)
"They have a problem with the deployment [of projects] and addressing existing problems when the new administration came in. Even the distribution of dishes, c & d Is very slow. "When they entered, they already knew the problems, they had to know what to prioritize, how can they say that they behaved better?"
Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said the delays were due to policy changes and not because they were "negligent."
Political Will [19659005OtherExpertToUnderxportFeaturesastrongpoliticspolitics-apromisedpromiseofadministrationDuture-toimprovinglobilityanduseproductsofsustainabletransportation
Dayo Montalbo, Associate Professor at the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning Politics plays a role rand role in improving transportation options in the country.
"Politics means different, sometimes contradictory interests and the victim is people's quality of travel," Rappal told Montalbo
. Multi-Million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in Metro Manila and Cebu. The DOTr had recommended the cancellation of the project, citing physical infrastructure constraints.
million. Tugade had said in news reports that Metro Manila's BRT, one of the government's high-impact priority projects, would not reduce congestion.
"The BRT takes a reserved lane along the EDSA The current situation of 5 lanes is with so much traffic – maybe the BRT is not the solution to EDSA "
PLAN. In the previous plan, a bus station was to be built near Fuente Osmena Park for Cebu's first mass transit system, which was to be operational in 2018. Photo by Dale G. Israel / Rappler
The Cebu BRB has a better chance of implementation. DOTr considers it again as part of its "basket of solutions" with railway projects.
According to Montalbo, who conducted the feasibility studies for the Manila-Quezon Avenue and Cebu projects, there appears to be a "lack of clear direction and result" on the part of the government
"The role of the government is to have a clear vision and a firm commitment to get things done, and not be influenced by conflicting interests." He says, "Projects are delayed or canceled, things get done. very slowly, if at all, because of all these conflicting and competing interests – and all of these interests is really politics, "added the expert. 19659005] Increasing capacity
What can be done in the meantime?
Montalbo said that the "policy change" under way – especially in Metro Manila – seems to involve support for private vehicles, "which is not compatible with Sust It also stated that the government should redouble its efforts to build the capacity of the country's transport system, which he said can be done while Filipinos are waiting for the P354-billion metro project in Metro Manila and the Mindanao Railway.
He says that the utility vehicle The modernization program also plays a big role in improving the system by 'harmonizing the supply and the demand for transport. "
" If we rationalize our transportation system, we will have just the right number of public transport vehicles on our roads to serve the demand, "said Montalbo.
But the PUV modernization program continues to pose problems, with only 88.5 million out of a budget of 569 million pesos transferred to the Land Transport Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and UP-Diliman in as implementing agencies. State auditors said the delay was due to the LTFRB's inability to complete the rationalization of public transport routes and strengthen the capacity of local governments to implement the project.
The modernization program has also been hit hard. The transport groups have described it as "anti-poor," as authorities intensified the crackdown on old-fashioned jeepneys earlier this year, triggering transport strikes.
While Duterte's administration begins its third year in office, government experts
"The transport infrastructure should be delivered as soon as possible especially now with construction, construction, construction But is the government ready to provide all these plans? "Said Mr. Montalbo. – Rappler.com
Source link
