President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fast-track key infrastructure projects to ease the daily struggles of commuters, newly-minted Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said on Friday.
Dizon emphasized the president’s concern for improving public services, particularly in transportation, which affects millions of Filipinos daily.
“The president really feels the pain of our people,” Dizon said. “That’s why he said, the first thing he said, ‘All these projects have to be fast tracked,’” he added.
Among the priority projects is the Metro Manila Subway, which Dizon called a “game-changer” that would bring the Philippines closer to having a world-class transport system similar to those in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
“I hope that in our lifetime, we all get to experience a subway system that works efficiently,” he said.
Dizon also stressed the importance of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), which aims to improve connectivity between Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
He said a reliable rail system could help ease congestion by allowing workers from Bulacan or Pampanga to commute to business districts like Makati and Bonifacio Global City without needing to relocate.
Other key projects include regional airport upgrades, particularly in tourist destinations such as Siargao and Palawan.
Dizon said the government is looking to privatize airport operations to ensure better management, provided contracts protect both the government and passengers.
According to Dizon, President Marcos also ordered the expansion of the country’s port system, especially agricultural ports, to help reduce food prices by improving transport efficiency.
“One reason why food prices are high is because of connectivity and transport costs,” Dizon said.
“The president instructed me to focus on this, and we will work closely with the Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Agriculture to establish these ports nationwide,” he added.
Dizon reiterated that accelerating infrastructure projects is crucial to achieving the administration’s goal of a more efficient and modern transport network.
Dizon recently replaced Jaime Bautista as the new DOTr chief after the latter left his post, citing health reasons.