What the DOTr needs at this point may be a leader with his foot on the accelerator at the right time but always ready to step on the brakes when the need arises
The best executive, it is said, is the one who has enough sense to pick good people to do what he wants done, and the self-restraint to keep from messing with them while they do it.
We’re reminded of this bit of wisdom amid what seems to be gargantuan problems in the transportation sector that have defied easy solutions up to now.
What’s clear is that Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista faces a raft of challenges in all sectors: land, sea and air.
One, public outcry over the increase in MRT fares and the prospect of higher fares in taxis, buses and jeepneys as various as fuel prices go through the roof.
Two, the shortage of plastic driver’s licenses at the Land Transportation Office and even a court order to stop the contract awarded to a new supplier.
Three, never-ending safety issues in the maritime sector that make sea travel a constant nightmare for those taking even short inter-island trips.
Four, the recent massive power outages at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that left many airline passengers grumbling and groaning and sweating for hours on end.
Five, the dismissal order by Office of the Ombudsman against former MIAA head Cesar Chiong for reassigning hundreds of airport personnel during his brief stint.
Chiong plans to appeal the decision.
And six, flagship transport projects that seemingly take forever to start and so long to finish.
Critics contend Bautista should have tendered a courtesy resignation after the NAIA power outage, but he has managed to keep his post despite the various issues in the transport sector.
Maybe because he has powerful backers within the administration and the private sector?
Secretary Bautista has fended off calls for him to resign amid talk of a Cabinet shake-up in May this year, saying that Cabinet Secretaries serve at the pleasure of the president.
While this may be seen as a sign of humility, could it mean that he intends to continue as Transportation chief come what may?
A month later, we’re told, a ranking official of the political party that swept President Marcos Jr. to the highest elective post in May 2022 expressed support for Bautista and warned that his dismissal would impair the public image of the Marcos administration.
The party official’s comments may not have been intended to put the administration in a bad light, but it did serve to underscore what some believe is under-performance on the part of the DOTr.
Does this mean that President Marcos Jr. intends to keep Bautista at DOTr at all costs?
We don’t really know, to be honest.
But if the heat in the kitchen gets too hot to bear, we won’t be surprised if Bautista decides to give up the post.
Insiders are saying that Bautista should seriously consider stepping aside and allow someone more qualified to take over.
The scuttlebutt is that former Land Transportation Office chief Jay Art Tugade, who had resigned after only a few months in office due to what he admitted were policy differences with Bautista, would be a good candidate for the plum post.
Tugade, the insiders claim, has already shown his dedication to improving the country’s land transportation system and has been commended for his plans to make it more convenient for motorists to avail themselves of its frontline services, including renewal of driver’s licenses and vehicle registration.
Will President Marcos keep Bautista at the driver’s seat, or appoint someone else?
All we can say is what the DOTr needs at this point may be a leader with his foot on the accelerator at the right time but always ready to step on the brakes when the need arises.
Yes, a leader who can choose good people to do what is good for the department, but also willing to let them make the right decisions without breathing down hard on their necks all the time.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)