MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto on Saturday, August 13, said the proposed emergency powers for President Rodrigo Duterte should address the problem of flooding in the metropolis.

“Existing roads must be made flood-proof, too,” Recto said in a statement.

Duterte is seeking emergency powers from Congress to solve the traffic crisis in Metro Manila. (READ: Senators want traffic czar as ‘point person’ for emergency powers)

Recto issued his statement after nonstop rain on Friday, August 12, resulted in a traffic gridlock. 

Recto cited estimates that the Philippines suffers P2.6 billion* ($55.8 million) a day in economic losses due to traffic. He said these losses can rise to P3 billion ($64.39 million) during rainy days, “as the resulting longer commute time or absences cut worker productivity.”

In his statement, Recto also urged Malacañang to pour more funding into flood control projects “so that light downpours will no longer be a major inconvenience to 14.5 million NCR residents.”

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, urged his fellow lawmakers to grant Duterte emergency powers soon.

Cayetano said he hopes a bill for emergency powers would already be enacted by September. “That will be more than enough time for both Houses to put the proper safeguards,” he said.

“We should not overcomplicate it. We should put it this way: Every day that we do not give the emergency powers, it’s another day of traffic and gridlock,” Cayetano said. – Rappler.com

*$1 = P46.59