Feeling the people’s pain
The just concluded national and local elections are said to be the referendum for the incumbent administration half-way through its six-year term of office. Specifically, the results of the midterm elections reflected the Filipino voters’ sentiments on the administration-backed candidates.
This political reality directly hits the 12-man senatorial slate endorsed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM). The Commission on Elections (Comelec) formally proclaimed and swore in the “Magic 12” winners of the Senate race. Five of them belong to PBBM’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas and five from rival political parties. And two others, namely, PBBM’s sister, re-electionist Sen. Imee Marcos – a self-declared “independent” candidate – and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar who were both personally endorsed by Vice President Sara Duterte.
But long before the “referendum” elections for him, PBBM already started changes in his Cabinet team as he enters his third year in office. The President first appointed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon on Feb. 21 this year. Then named his new Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jay Ruiz on Feb. 24. And on March 20, PBBM appointed Henry Aguda as the new secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Of the three new Cabinet faces, Dizon literally hit the ground running in catch-up mode to move forward unfinished DOTr projects. Just last week, the new DOTr chief terminated a long-delayed project of the common station for the Metro Rail Transit in North EDSA, Quezon City.
In a recent spate of deadly road mishaps, Dizon could not hide his seething anger over apparent failure of transport safety regulations. It was an outrage felt by many but manifested in Dizon’s speedy actions, not words. There was anger raging in him that the tragedies happened because of a system that has betrayed commuters for so long. He surely felt bad for the senseless deaths that claimed the lives of commuters and passengers. Dizon wants drastic changes, right here, right now – and completely.
There’s one thing the DOTr Secretary does best. Dizon acts fast, acts swiftly.
In quick succession, road tragedies stole the limelight from other news. Ten people, including four children, were instantly killed and 35 others injured in a multiple vehicle road crash at the toll plaza of SCTEX, or Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway last May 1. A sleepy bus driver hit a van that was already in the payment queue at the toll gate.
A few hours later on the same day, Dizon ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to immediately suspend the operations of Solid North, the bus firm involved in the SCTEX tragedy. At the same time, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) immediately suspended the driver’s license of the sleepy driver and conducted tests whether he took illegal drugs and if he was drunk.
Both the LTFRB and the LTO are attached agencies of the DOTr under the supervision of Dizon. To prevent similar incidents, the transport chief ordered a thorough review of existing road safety protocols and directed bus companies to ensure their drivers are fit to drive.
“Clearly, the status quo is not working. We have all failed, government and bus companies, we have all failed the commuting public and we all have to share the burden and do something about it,” Secretary Dizon told them.
Then another tragic incident struck on May 4 when a wayward sports utility vehicle rammed into the entrance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City. Two people, a man bound for work abroad and a four-year old girl, were killed on the spot. The operations of all airports in the country, including privately run New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), fall under the supervision of the DOTr’s Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Having a daughter also, Dizon was visibly affected when he arrived at the scene of the unfortunate incident. Joined by NNIC head Ramon S. Ang, they personally supervised restoring order and normal operations at the country’s premier airport. At the NAIA, bollards supposed to keep passengers out of harm’s way collapsed instantly. Dizon represented the public shock over such a terrible mishap but he showed it not by big words or pointing fingers.
The decisions were swift even as answers were just starting to pour in about what could have caused these accidents just waiting to happen. Dizon echoed loudly the public’s dismay and outrage. Those who lost their lives deserve more than words of condolence. Just as Dizon is now doing, victims deserve justice by swift and decisive acts to prevent repeat of their sad fate.
In his latest initiatives, Dizon intensified the crackdown on irresponsible drivers and unsafe vehicles, mandating a comprehensive review of road safety protocols. He established a dedicated task force within the DOTr, specifically tasked with identifying and implementing improvements in road safety standards and enforcement practices.
Demonstrating decisive leadership, Dizon ordered the immediate suspension of licenses of 671 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers found guilty of drug use or involvement in road accidents during the Holy Week period. He took a trip on one of the Metro’s railways to see and feel for himself what it’s like to be a commuter – without fanfare and keenly taking mental notes. Incidentally, the agencies operating our railway systems are also under DOTr supervision.
During the recent Holy Week exodus, when millions of Filipinos traveled from Metro Manila to their hometowns and vacation destinations, Dizon personally inspected airports, bus terminals and seaports discreetly. His consistent presence on the ground ensured that safety measures were strictly enforced.
Some will call it impulsive, others believe it’s the usual knee-jerk reaction. But Dizon’s intense focus on commuter safety is anything but whimsical. The challenges and tasks that Dizon met head on at the DOTr were daunting. But he is surely not the only Cabinet official known for being a man of few words and plenty of action.
There’s no better way of showing you care and feel the people’s pain in such unwanted tragedies.
There is one thing the DOTr Secretary does best. Dizon acts fast, acts swiftly.
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