Huge tasks: Can DOTr deliver?

The efficient flow of commercial goods and the seamless daily routine of passengers are the most basic capability that any economy must possess. Without these, the road to a meaningful inclusive progress will be deterred by obstacles that will continuously deprive our people of the comfort and economic strength that have long been overdue.

In my column last Feb. 28, 2025, I discussed, and actually apologized to our tourists, for the abuses being committed by cab drivers plying in our airports. I personally heard the complaints of a tourist from the United Kingdom when my friends and I were having coffee while waiting for our flights. He was on his way to Puerto Princesa while my companions and I were going to Zamboanga City to attend the retirement testimonial for our colleague. The tourist showed as the receipt which proved the unreasonable fare charged to him for transferring from a nearby terminal.

More than three weeks ago, we’ve seen Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon fumingly mad at a taxi driver who overcharged a local passenger who had a similar experience as the foreign tourist I met. It’s safe to assume that this abusive practice is rampant. Then a few days ago, the said driver blew the whistle and implicated several personnel of the airport police as the reason for the embarrassing racket. And typical of the no-nonsense leadership of the young DOTr chief, Secretary Vince suspended the operations of the taxi company whose franchise turned out to be expired already. The company which failed to monitor and discipline its erring driver is now faced with its own problems.

The DOTr chief has not missed impressing us with his swift actions that are both timely, sensible and correct. Take, for another example, his expeditious call to suspend the digital ticketing services of AirAsia Move after complaints reached him regarding the excessive airplane fares to Tacloban in Leyte. Obviously, this company is taking advantage of the initial mayhem caused by the partial closure of San Juanico Bridge, which needs structural repairs after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that its concrete base, landing areas and a number of steel beams must be urgently retrofitted. According to the news, no less than Congressman Richard Gomez and his wife, Mayor Lucy Torres, purchased the overpriced tickets and showed these to the DOTr chief. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) also called the attention of Sec. Dizon on this alarming concern. Promptly, and publicly, he took a brave stand and sternly warned the others not to commit the same error in profiting from the misery of others who are in a truly difficult situation in Western Visayas.

Bigger problems

But these issues, though somehow resolved already, are a mere small tip of the gargantuan iceberg. The country is confronted with myriads of challenges. Unfortunately, each of these must be addressed alongside the rest. One problem cannot be magically ended without successfully settling the other components.

A robust mass transport system is the bloodline of a strong economy. Workers, employees, managers, students and all other commuters can conveniently go to their offices and schools with less time needed, lower costs and minimal time wasted, which can be converted to better productivity. The aggregated impact will help transform an expanding economy to a grown tiger that can outpace our neighbors.

Strategic solutions needed

However, the pressure being caused by the ultra-high-density metropolis such as the National Capital Region (NCR) is essentially due to the Manila-centric growth that we had for decades. Developments must be significantly decentralized. One strategic solution that we should consider to counter this imbalance is to transfer the center of our political gravity. This has been done by Malaysia, Myanmar and other countries that were in the same predicament before. Transfer most national government headquarters to Clark or somewhere else, especially once the train route from Manila is finally inaugurated.

Our economic planners, captains of industries, the academic community and let’s include the bright entrepreneurs, must strategically roll out an economic program that will encourage and support growth in other cities and regions. Incentives and structural interventions, even legislated imprimaturs, must be drawn and implemented to build new and stronger economic centers.

In other words, the lack of a credible mass transport system must be appreciated in a larger context. Not a mere mobility issue. Or a search for a better train provider. To be fair, the DOTr chief himself already explained that the remaining three years of the current administration definitely would not be enough to finish the much-awaited subway system along EDSA. The first and hopefully not the last.

I personally know Secretary Vince. He will surely work harder than most government employees. More hours. Less sleep. Better accomplishments. And spectacular programs. But left alone, and championing a mission that is outside the context of a larger issue, will leave his contributions lacking. Definitely he will leave a good legacy. He is an exemplary executive. But all other cogs in the bigger wheel must be moved, and roll well.

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