House Panel Calls for Emergency Meeting on 'Transport Crisis'

House Bill 5636

The House Committee on Transportation is set to hold an emergency meeting today, October 9, with all stakeholders in the transport sector to find solutions to ease the 'transportation crisis' caused by the suspension of the Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2) operations and the ongoing repair on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

In a statement, Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, committee chair, said he has called for the meeting hoping to find the "quickest, most doable, and most practical solution to fill the vacuum" caused by the disruption of the line's operations and the repair on the SLEX.

Invited to attend the hearing are officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the Light Railway Transit Authority (LRTA), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government(DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), SLEX management, and city bus operators.

Sarmiento said the suspension of the LRT-2 operations, which could last up to nine months for its Santolan-Anonas segment, could affect the mobility of at least 200,000 passengers daily, noting that the government must provide the affected commuters with alternative transportation.

"We are talking about hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who would lose their means of mobility because of this suspension. We are now in the middle of a transportation crisis and we should really move quickly to solve this," Sarmiento said.

The panel chair said the 'carmageddon' on SLEX must also be addressed as the ongoing Skyway construction that led to the closure of some portions of the highway could last until the latter part of 2020.

The House panel would also ask concerned government agencies to present their traffic management plan in the light of the LRT-2 suspension and the SLEX repair.

"The transportation committee doesn't want to be stuck in the endless blame game that led to this traffic mess. Rather, we want to get the solutions right away so that we can quickly make our recommendations on how we can ease the burden of our people," Sarmiento said.

He cited the need to address the transportation crisis because the traffic problem is expected to get even worse with the onset of the holiday season.

"We are now in the middle of a serious crisis and we must all work together to get out of this situation. I just hope that this time, our transport sector including our public utility operators can truly understand the gravity of our problem and take the actions necessary to get us out of this situation," Sarmiento said. 

House Bill 5636 ©congress.gov.ph

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Volkswagen out of ACEI's stable
    Volkswagen out of ACEI's stable
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • QSJ Motors PH sets up shops in more areas around PH
    QSJ Motors PH sets up shops in more areas around PH
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • VinFast PH, V-Green, Green GSM, ink partnership with BDO
    VinFast PH, V-Green, Green GSM, ink partnership with BDO
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Catch the Suzuki Fronx in all PH dealerships this weekend
    Catch the Suzuki Fronx in all PH dealerships this weekend
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Toyota Motor PH extends TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship 2025 qualifiers
    Toyota Motor PH extends TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship 2025 qualifiers
    Ruben Manahan IV . Today
  • Top 4 reasons to get the JAC JS4
    Top 4 reasons to get the JAC JS4
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Check out JMC EV2’s key strengths, weaknesses
    Check out JMC EV2’s key strengths, weaknesses
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 17, 2025
  • Here are the 7 stunning colors of the Omoda C5
    Here are the 7 stunning colors of the Omoda C5
    Paulo Papa . Sep 17, 2025
  • Check out the GWM Ora 03’s key rivals
    Check out the GWM Ora 03’s key rivals
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 12, 2025
  • Here are the Ford Territory Hybrid’s strengths, weaknesses
    Here are the Ford Territory Hybrid’s strengths, weaknesses
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 12, 2025
  • How well do you understand traffic signs?
    How well do you understand traffic signs?
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 09, 2025
  • How car collectors can take advantage of Liqui Moly products
    How car collectors can take advantage of Liqui Moly products
    Ruben Manahan IV . Sep 08, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Ford Everest Sport Special Edition: ‘tough’-tier SUV
    Ford Everest Sport Special Edition: ‘tough’-tier SUV
    Paulo Papa . Sep 15, 2025
  • Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV: sporty yet sustainable
    Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV: sporty yet sustainable
    Paulo Papa . Sep 08, 2025
  • ELECTRIA: JMC EV3 - cutesy city slicker
    ELECTRIA: JMC EV3 - cutesy city slicker
    Cesar Miguel . Sep 04, 2025
  • First drive: Here’s why the Li Mega is the ideal pick for those who wants to be chauffeured
    First drive: Here’s why the Li Mega is the ideal pick for those who wants to be chauffeured
    Paulo Papa . Aug 27, 2025
  • GWM Cannon: range day
    GWM Cannon: range day
    Paulo Papa . Jul 29, 2025