Cebu City (CNN Philippines) – A presidential adviser said Friday that the work for a train system in the Metro Cebu area can start this year, if Congress grants emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to Secretary Michael Dino, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, a Singaporean firm could conduct the feasibility and financial study of the train system in November.
“Kailangan mag start ta within the emergency powers of the President. After that wala na,” said Dino at a meeting of the Cebu Citizens Press Council.
[Translation: This project must start within the emergency powers of the President or else it won’t be done.]
Dino said cabinet secretaries want the emergency powers to start by September in order to immediately implement projects that would solve the traffic woes of urban centers like Metro Cebu.
Two Senate bills were filed in Congress giving the President the authority to go around standard bidding and procurement procedures for transportation projects, as well as to make these projects immune from restraining orders unless these are issued by the Supreme Court. It is expected that the emergency powers sought by the President will last two years.
The Senate Committee on Public Services met with Transportation officials earlier this month to discuss the issue, along with possible solutions. Committee chair Sen. Grace Poe said she hoped to pass an emergency-powers law by Christmas.
Read: Senate holds first hearing to discuss emergency powers for Duterte
The Bus Rapid Transit project planned by President Benigno Aquino III may take a backseat, although Dino said this type of mass-transport system may compliment the train system.
Dino and Chief of Staff Jonji Gonzales also assured Cebu journalists that they will be accessible for queries in governance and other issues.
CNN Philippines Digital Producer VJ Bacungan contributed to this report.
