The Makati Business Club recognizes that the last few years have been characterized by a surge in the demand for mobility, seen by the increasing number of motor vehicles on the road and more domestic and international trips for social, business, or tourism purposes. MBC is also aware that our transportation infrastructure has been unable to keep up with this rising demand.

This massive mobility gap continues to cause great damage to both the economy and the quality of life of our people, illustrated, according to studies, by the billions of pesos of productivity losses per day, and the unquantifiable health risks and social costs brought about by congestion and long commutes.

MBC believes that the nation does face a transportation crisis, which needs urgent action and solutions. The Makati Business Club stands ready to assist and be an active participant in a highly thorough process of consultation, debate, and analysis between government and the private sector. If the solutions to address the transport crisis require emergency powers, MBC will be prepared to support the consideration of well-defined emergency powers for the transport sector, provided these emergency powers are specific, limited, and timebound; anchored on a solid national policy; and complemented by a strong system of accountability.

We strongly believe that inclusive, people-oriented mobility and transparency must be the guiding principles that all policies and projects arising from these emergency powers will follow, and that the private sector and civil society should be provided with a substantial role in implementation and monitoring.