President Marcos has ordered new Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon to make life easier for the commuters by expediting the implementation of several public transportation projects in the country such as railways and subway.
Marcos swore in Dizon on Friday, Feb. 21, at Malacañan where he directed him to get the projects benefiting the commuting public done.
"Welcome aboard, Secretary Vince Dizon! We’re set to enhance physical connectivity and make life easier for the commuting public. Let’s get it done!" Marcos said in a Facebook post.
During a Palace briefing, following his oath taking, Dizon disclosed that the first thing the President told him was: "All these projects have to be fast track."
Among these projects, Dizon said, are the ongoing Metro Manila Subway project, which he dubbed as "game-changer" for the commuting public, and the North-South Commuter Rail.
The new Transportation chief said the President and him spoke at length about priority projects, including projects he wants to leave as his legacy when his term ends.
"We spoke at length about this ‘no and, alam ninyo po ang Pangulo, gusto niyang maibsan ang hirap ng mga kababayan natin sa transportasyon, sa lahat ng bagay ‘no – healthcare, education, agriculture (you know, the President wants to ease the struggle by the people in terms of transportation, healthcare, education, agriculture)," Dizon said.
"Pero iyong transportation araw-araw iyan, e, araw-araw iyan e, parang ano ‘yan, e… iyong nagigising ka tapos parang panaginip tapos uulitin mo na naman. ‘Di ba, parang nightmare na uulitin mo every day (But transportation is a daily ordeal—you wake up to it and like a dream, you have to repeat it again. It's like a nightmare that comes every day) and the President really feels the pain of our people," he added.
Dizon further said that Marcos wants to expand the country's port system, especially the agricultural ports.
"[T]he President wants to expand our port system, especially our agricultural ports. Because one reason why the price of food is so high is because of connectivity, because of transport cost ‘no," he said.
The President also mentioned cruise terminal projects as among the administration's priorities, Dizon said.
Dizon was appointed as the new DOTr chief last week, replacing Jaime Bautista, who has resigned due to health reasons.