Manila Bulletin
CHR urges gov't to act quickly on traffic crisis to protect Filipinos' right to work
CHR urges gov't to act quickly on traffic crisis to protect Filipinos' right to work
CHR urges gov't to act quickly on traffic crisis to protect Filipinos' right to work
Published Oct 17, 2019 10:30 am
By Chito Chavez
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has urged the government “to act quickly’’ to address the traffic crisis gripping the country, stressing that every Filipino’s right to work is inextricably tied with the internal freedom of movement.
Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN)
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia expressed alarm over the increasing incidence of traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other cosmopolitan cities in the country, citing a study by the Asian Development Bank that ranked Metro Manila as the most congested city out of 278 Asian cities with a population of more than five million.
The study further stated that the “lack of efficient and affordable public transportation” is a contributing factor to congestion.
The Philippines loses P3.5 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila. This figure is expected to rise to as much as P5.4 billion by year 2035 if no intervention is done by the government.
On the average, Filipinos lose 9-15 years of their life sitting in traffic.
The CHR noted “it is clear that the lack of efficient and affordable public transport not only compounds congestion problems, it also costs the country money, and it is vexatious to commuters who lose a good chunk of their lives in traffic.’’
De Guia said acceptance and recognition of the problem is the first step towards its rectification as constant denial of problems, despite evidence to the contrary, does nothing to help alleviate the plight of Filipino commuters.
“If anything, it only serves to make a mockery of the travail Filipino commuters face on a daily basis. Inaction in the face of massive and widespread congestion throughout the Metro impinges not only on the physical and mental health of commuters, who stand for long hours on end while anxiously waiting for a ride to work (or home), but also hampers the deliverance of basic social services—such as the right to health through speedy and adequate access to medical care in cases of medical emergencies necessitating the use of an ambulance,’’ she added.
De Guia said the CHR has recognized the initiatives of the government to alleviate congestion problems through infrastructure development in its Build, Build, Build program.
She expressed hope “that this government would also do its best to ensure the continued development and maintenance of more efficient public transport system.”
Commission on Human Rights (MANILA BULLETIN)
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia expressed alarm over the increasing incidence of traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other cosmopolitan cities in the country, citing a study by the Asian Development Bank that ranked Metro Manila as the most congested city out of 278 Asian cities with a population of more than five million.
The study further stated that the “lack of efficient and affordable public transportation” is a contributing factor to congestion.
The Philippines loses P3.5 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila. This figure is expected to rise to as much as P5.4 billion by year 2035 if no intervention is done by the government.
On the average, Filipinos lose 9-15 years of their life sitting in traffic.
The CHR noted “it is clear that the lack of efficient and affordable public transport not only compounds congestion problems, it also costs the country money, and it is vexatious to commuters who lose a good chunk of their lives in traffic.’’
De Guia said acceptance and recognition of the problem is the first step towards its rectification as constant denial of problems, despite evidence to the contrary, does nothing to help alleviate the plight of Filipino commuters.
“If anything, it only serves to make a mockery of the travail Filipino commuters face on a daily basis. Inaction in the face of massive and widespread congestion throughout the Metro impinges not only on the physical and mental health of commuters, who stand for long hours on end while anxiously waiting for a ride to work (or home), but also hampers the deliverance of basic social services—such as the right to health through speedy and adequate access to medical care in cases of medical emergencies necessitating the use of an ambulance,’’ she added.
De Guia said the CHR has recognized the initiatives of the government to alleviate congestion problems through infrastructure development in its Build, Build, Build program.
She expressed hope “that this government would also do its best to ensure the continued development and maintenance of more efficient public transport system.”