Traffic on EDSA near the Kamuning Avenue flyover is heavy again on Tuesday after the long, 5-day holiday amid the visit of Pope Francis. Despite some roads being closed for motorcades during the papal visit, the holidays kept traffic light in the metropolis. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Thursday said the traffic crisis currently plaguing Metro Manila is not a “state of mind” but rather a “state of chaos.”
Tugade made the clarification after he was supposedly misquoted in a newspaper report as saying the traffic gridlock was only the commuters’ state of mind.
“Ang tranportation at traffic issue ay totoo at hindi state of the mind. Kung estado lang… it is a state of chaos we have to address,” Tugade said a House hearing on giving emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to solve traffic woes.
“We can journey together and address this crisis and stop it once and for all,” Tugade said.
He assured the public that there is nothing to worry about in giving the President such emergency traffic powers, saying it would only given to Duterte for a limited period of time.
“Basta nakarining ka ng emergency, ang unang sisipsip sa sistema natin ay takot,” Tugade said.
In response to the newspaper report, the Presidential Communications Office insisted the Secretary was misquoted and said this was his exact quote: “A state of mind adds to the problem of traffic. Let’s stop blaming traffic. If you’re late, that’s that.”
According to the PCO, Tugade’s message was said in the context of people who use traffic as an excuse for being late. (MNS)