MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte said he plans to divert the road user’s tax to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fund flood control projects in the country.
The President said he will talk to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to abolish the Road Board and divert the funds to the DPWH.
“We will work together, convince Congress. Wala naman silang magawa talaga diyan. Ayaw ko talaga (ng Road Board) eh, maski saan niyo ilagay, I will not release any single centavo there,” Duterte said.
The President also said once the funds from the road user’s tax are already diverted, he wants to prioritize flood control projects in Bicol region, which was recently hit by tropical depression “Usman.”
“Unahin muna ang Bicol. With that money, I will give you my commitment that you’ll be the first,” Duterte said. “Kunin talaga natin ‘yang pera na ‘yan. I will get it. Put it somewhere else – para magamit sa tao.”
The House of Representatives, under the leadership of former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, has approved a bill abolishing the Road Board and it was later adopted by the Senate.
But on Sept. 12, the House – now under Speaker Arroyo – has rescinded the approval of the House measure calling for the abolishment of Road Board.
The Road Board oversees funds collected from the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge solely for road maintenance and drainage improvement, the installation of traffic lights and road safety devices, and monitoring air pollution./PN
