Dizon wants MMDA’s Go in DOTr

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon is recruiting Gabriel Go of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to lead the DOTr’s road transport and infrastructure sector.

Go, who heads the MMDA’s Special Operations Group-Strike Force, is mainly involved in clearing road obstructions.

“He will help oversee the road sector, particularly the busway system, as well as the new road-based mass transportation projects we plan to develop,” Dizon said.

Go is known for posting road clearing operations on his personal Facebook account, featuring erring motorists and other violators.

In July, the MMDA suspended Go after he drew flak for berating a teacher over a traffic violation.

Go did not say whether he had accepted Dizon’s invitation to join the DOTr.

Go joined Dizon during the pilot testing of the bus augmentation on the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) yesterday.

Buses deployed

The DOTr deployed 20 buses yesterday to ease congestion at the LRT-2 stations.

Dizon said the buses were deployed to test whether the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board could install a bus lane along the LRT-2 route.

“Almost 4,000 passengers are not served by the LRT-2 during peak hours,” Dizon said. “Only 10 trains are operational, and that is already the maximum number currently available. This is simply not enough to accommodate the large number of commuters relying on this line.”

Bus commuters will get a 20-percent fare discount. Students may avail themselves of the bus service for P55.