Department of Transportation acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered all officials in the department to commute to the office at least once a week to better understand and address the challenges faced by the commuting public.
Lopez issued a memorandum Monday, directing officials of the road and rail sectors to use public transportation at least once a week, to better meet the needs of commuters.
“These officials of ours in the Road and Rail sector, they are the ones who should always be out because most of our projects are in these sectors,” Lopez said.
“We also encourage other officials in other sectors to commute because this is the only way to see firsthand what commuters are experiencing,” he said.
The officials are also required to submit a report after their commute, including recommendations and action plans on how to improve public transportation.
Lopez himself commuted to the office during Monday’s rush hour, where he personally met with commuters.
“What our countrymen suffer every day is really difficult. Commuting is a punishment and tiring,” Lopez said.
“We will work on this immediate solution so that we can somehow ease their commute and not waste their time,” he said.
Lopez rode a bus from Ever Gotesco to Commonwealth, climbed the “Mt. Kamuning” on EDSA and took the MRT-3.
Lopez said he would order the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to add traffic enforcers and personnel on Commonwealth Ave. to support Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcers and ensure traffic flows smoothly.
The acting transport chief said he would also direct the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to issue franchises for more public utility vehicles (PUVs) in high-volume areas.
