‘Online means no line’

Per Filipino tradition, we observe tomorrow All Saints’ Day, a time to pay respects to our deceased loved ones. But even days before Nov. 1, all roads lead to the cemeteries for this yearly observance in Metro Manila and elsewhere all over the country.

Today, eve of All Saints’ Day, Oct. 31 falls on a Friday. Thus, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) applied the “holiday economics” law that allows it to be observed as an extra non-working holiday. PBBM issued last year Proclamation No. 727 declaring All Saints’ Day eve as one of the additional special holidays for 2025.

Many people will spend the long weekend in vacation trips to the countryside. Definitely, the latest “holiday economics” will boost our domestic tourism.

While everyone is on holiday mode, Department of Transportation (DOTr) “acting” Secretary Giovanni “Vanoy” Lopez reassured the public that all concerned government authorities will remain visible, especially around busy areas during Undas. At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum last Wednesday, Lopez underscored the “whole-of-government” directives of the President to ensure strict compliance with safety in road, sea and air travels in all kinds of public conveyances.

Now assisting Lopez in these inspection checks is undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, newly appointed Office for Transportation Security (OPS). Cruz joined Lopez at the DOTr just five days ago. A DOTr-attached agency, the OTS is the sole authority responsible for the security of transportation facilities in the Philippines, from civil aviation, maritime, rail system, land transport and related infrastructure. Cruz was moved over to OTS which has, in the past, been notoriously associated with “tanim-bala” airport security personnel.

Cruz previously served as the executive director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). Cruz led the PAOCC in the dismantling of “scam hubs” that proliferated in illegal Philippine online gaming operators (POGOs). A recent law signed by PBBM officially bans POGOs in our country.

On airport terminals, Cruz recommended to Lopez to install additional security cameras at X-ray screening checkpoints to protect both the passengers and OTS personnel against any unwanted incidents. A retired police general, Cruz also underscored the urgent need to enhance communication channels with the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Aviation Security Command at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals and other regional and provincial airports. This will provide faster response times and more effective security interventions, he pointed out.

For someone who has been in the DOTr since 2017, Lopez understands these challenges. Being at the forefront of the various government campaigns in ensuring safe and convenient travel, Lopez believes mass public transport services must be further improved as the chief means of travel for all Filipinos. His last posting was as LTO executive director in 2022 before he went back to the private sector. He returned as DOTr senior undersecretary for Administration, Finance and Procurement when PBBM appointed his former boss, Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, as DOTr secretary in February this year.

It was Dizon himself who nominated Lopez to replace him as DOTr secretary. This after PBBM moved Dizon over to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to put order in this agency rocked by alleged “ghost” flood control projects. Lopez took over from Dizon as DOTr secretary just last Sept. 1.

Through “convergence” of government activities, Lopez thanked Dizon for the latter’s directives to DPWH to finish road repairs before expected Undas-related heavy traffic.

Lopez continued with Dizon’s stewardship style at the DOTr of conducting on the spot inspection checks and personally experiencing the hassles of traveling in public conveyances. In some of the social media video posts, Lopez took rides at the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), going up and down stairs of the two mass transport railway terminals.

Before the expected heavy traffic every Undas nationwide, Lopez led inspection teams in the ocular visits of key transport facilities – from airports to seaports and bus terminals – checking if regulations and requirements are followed to the letter.

In fact, after attending our Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum, Lopez, along with Cruz and other DOTr executives, proceeded to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) along the Coastal Road. They observed the on-going drug-testing of bus drivers and road worthiness checks on public utility buses (PUBs) accredited at the PITX.

According to Jason Salvador, head of PITX Corporate and Government Relations, the drug-testing and road worthiness checks are regular activities being done inside this privately-run terminal for city buses plying Metro Manila. At our Kapihan forum, Salvador cited satellite offices of various DOTr-attached agencies are stationed at the PITX. These include the DOTr-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The LTO and LTFRB, he pointed out, are the ones conducting the random drug tests on PUB drivers and the road worthiness checks, respectively.

Salvador described the PITX as a one-stop terminal for point-to-point PUBs, including the newly launched electric Love Buses. As of last Wednesday, Salvador noted as many as 185,000 passengers were processed in the air-conditioned terminal facility and served by 7,000 PUB units that were deployed at the PITX.

Last Friday, the DOTr chief sternly warned operators of provincial buses in Pasay City after he saw long lines of people outside the terminals trying to buy tickets. Lopez reminded these provincial bus operators that they are supposed to implement purchase of tickets online under the DOTr digitalization program for ease and convenience of the riding public.

The Lopez-led inspection team also saw the same long queue of people buying ship tickets when they went last Monday to Batangas Port. As the biggest and busiest seaport for passengers and cargoes, the Batangas Port connects Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao. Lopez instructed port officials to require all ship owners to comply with online ticketing as required in the Ease in Doing Business Law.

Quoting the President’s words, the DOTr chief quipped: “Online means no line.”