Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon has emphasized the need to expand the government’s partnership with the private sector to enhance the efficiency of the country's transportation system.
The newly minted Dizon issued this statement on Monday, Feb. 24, during the turnover ceremony of the DOTr’s leadership from now-former Transportation chief Jaime Bautista.
As the new head honcho of the agency overseeing the transport sector, Dizon said privatization is “the way to go” as he seeks to fast-track the administration’s big-ticket infrastructure projects.
“Sec. Bautista can be assured that we will really push that forward because…to my mind and especially to the mind of our President the way to go to make transport services more efficient,” he said.
Dizon lauded the former DOTr secretary for initiating the government’s drive for privatization of transport infrastructure, such as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which is now under a private operator.
“The biggest contribution of Sec. Jimmy in such as short span of time is really the massive privatization effort beginning obviously with the NAIA privatization,” he added.
Under Bautista’s tenure, the privatization of regional airports—namely Laguindingan Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport—also took place.
The former DOTr chief, alongside Ayala Land Inc., also spearheaded the groundbreaking of the much-anticipated Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange (TCITX)---a multi-modal terminal that is expected to accommodate 160,000 passengers. The project had been on hold for a decade.
Road and railway infrastructure projects are among those being considered for privatization under a Dizon-led DOTr to ensure more efficient service for commuters.
Currently, the agency is lining up the operations and maintenance of the EDSA Busway for privatization with its feasibility study to be completed in a few months. This is expected to be awarded by the end of 2026.
The DOTr, in collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is also finalizing the terms of reference for both solicited and unsolicited proposals for the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) rail line.
Continuity is key
The Transportation secretary affirmed that the agency will remain focused on completing the priority infrastructure projects previously overseen by Bautista.
Bautista, the former president of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), officially stepped down from the DOTr last week “to give attention to his health.”
“There are still many programs we need to continue, we need to start, and we need to finish. We really need to see to it that all the programs that we do will redound to the benefit of the riding public,” said Bautista during the turnover.
Dizon, in response, vowed that this “passing of the baton” would not lead to any disruption of ongoing projects.
“Kailangan habang pinapasa ang baton, imbes na bumabagal, kailangan pang pinapabilis. Kailangan natin magtrabaho ng mas maigi, kailangan natin pabilisin ang mga proyektong ito,” said Dizon.
(As the baton is being passed, instead of slowing down, we need to pick up the pace. We must work harder and accelerate these projects.)
“Kapag natapos itong mga proyektong ito, talagang giginhawa ang buhay ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino,” he added.
(When these projects are completed, the lives of our fellow Filipinos will truly become more comfortable.)
Among the big-ticket projects that will still be given the same priority are the Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), privatization of regional airports and the EDSA Busway, and construction of the EDSA Greenways project, among others.
"Let's roll up our sleeves and let's get to work to get things done," Dizon underscored.