DOTr eyes updated transport master plan, public transit privatization

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang panunumpa ni Vivencio B. Dizon bilang bagong Kalihim ng DOTr ngayong Pebrero 21, 2025. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – Newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Friday emphasized the need to update the masterplan for transport infrastructure development and expand the government’s partnership with the private sector to make transport systems efficient.

This, as Dizon said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive is to expedite the implementation of the ongoing transportation infrastructure projects, as well as those that are already in the pipeline.

“The President really feels the pain of our people. And that’s why he said, the first thing he said, all these projects have to be fast-tracked,” Dizon told Palace reporters in a press briefing after taking oath before Marcos as the new Transportation chief in a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

“Our roadmap is really to privatize kasi ‘yun ang pinakamabilis. Kampante tayo na kapag nasa kamay ng pribadong sektor ang ating mga imprastraktura, syempre, maayos ang mga kontrata, protektado ang gobyerno, protektado ang mga pasahero, sigurado tayong mami-maintain at maayos ang pagpapatakbo ng mga facility na iyan (because that’s the fastest. We are confident that when our infrastructure is in the hands of the private sector, of course, the contracts are in order, the government is protected, the passengers are protected, we are sure that those facilities will be maintained and operated properly),” he added.

Dizon said he would reach out to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the coming days to update the roadmap for transport infrastructure development to address infrastructure gaps and perennial commuter problems.

Dizon said “band-aid” solutions are not enough to address the perennial problems plaguing the transport sector, adding that he is eyeing a “short-, medium-, and long-term” plans that will be based on data, population growth, and urbanization.

This, as he noted that Marcos gave a clear order to prioritize key infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway, development of regional airports, and expansion of port system, particularly the agricultural ports.

“Kailangan talaga (We really need) short-, medium-, long-term [solutions]. Ganoon dapat ang pag-iisip natin lagi (That’s how we should think always),” Dizon said. “Ang (The) Build Better More is we have to build better and we have to build more. Meaning, hindi na puwede ang puwede na (you must not be content with what’s okay for you).”

Dizon acknowledged the need to privatize the flagship transportation projects in the country, as he stressed that “in reality,” the public transit run by the government is “not maintained and operated properly.”

“Ang private sector, laging nandiyan iyan, laging handing tumulong sa gobyerno. At tingin ko, itong napakagandang polisiya ng ating mahal na Pangulo, kailangan nating palawakin pa ang ating mga public-private partnership. Ito ang paraan talaga para masolusyonan ng mabilis an mga problemang dinantan na natin na ilang dekadang nandiyan (The private sector is always there ready to help the government. And I think, this is a very good policy of our dear President, we need to expand our public-private partnerships.

This is really the way to quickly solve the problems that we have been facing for decades),” he said.

“Our private sector partners are patriots. They believe in helping the government and at the same time, ‘pag tinulungan ang gobyerno at umunlad ang mga kababayan natin, makakatulong din sa mga pribadong kampanya ‘yun (if they help the government and our countrymen prosper, that would also help the private companies),” Dizon added.

Dizon also supported the plan of his predecessor, former Transportation secretary Jaime Bautista, to privatize the EDSA busway system to make it more efficient and ease the commuters’ plight.

He said the busway system is “far from perfect” and needs to be fixed.

On the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, Dizon said it has to be further studied, citing the need to consult the transport stakeholders, including the drivers and operators, to hear their “legitimate concerns.”

“It (PUV modernization) is status quo. So, kailangang kausapin muna natin sila at pag-aralan nating mabuti kung ano ang magandang way forward.

Kailangang umusad tayo. Hindi naman puwedeng wala tayong gawin (So, we need to talk to them first and study carefully what the good way forward is. We need to move forward. We can’t just do nothing),” Dizon said.

“Kailangang maintindihan ng mga kasamahan natin sa transport sector na may alinlangan sa PUV modernization na hindi puwede ding iwanan na lang natin sa kinagisnan natin ‘yung ating mga jeepney at iba pang mga nasa kalye natin (Our colleagues in the transport sector who have doubts about PUV modernization need to understand that we can’t just leave our jeepneys and other vehicles on our streets as they are).”

Dizon also sought a thorough study of the Pasig River ferry system to further develop the country’s transport industry.