MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said the city planning officers of local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila should work together to solve the worsening traffic in the metropolis.
In an TV interview, Sarmiento said LGUs should have a strategic plan which includes traffic management.
"Maganda 'yung nag uusap-usap na sila ngayon sa Metro Manila Council sa MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), kung saan ang mga bottlenecks, saan ang mga problem areas at kung ano ang gagawin. Pero I think dapat ay long term (solutions)," he said.
"May pangangailangan na ang city planning officers nila (LGUs) ay umupo at magtulung-tulong upang makamit ang mas matagalang solusyon sa trapik," he said.
Sarmiento said that each LGU should have a strategic plan that should also be in line with the national plan of the government.
"Long-term planning is critical to achieve our goals," he said.
Sarmiento said the Internal Revenue Allotment of LGUs will be doubled by 2018, and mayors should now plan ahead on what to do with that enormous amount.
He said that each LGU should have a strategic plan anchored on participatory governance where people have a say on what the LGU wants to achieve in the next six years and beyond.
"Even if the mayor is replaced, the plan will stand because it is not the mayor's plan, but the people's plan," he said.