Manila: Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Monday directed all road and rail officials to take public modes of transportation from their homes to their offices at least once a week. Lopez stated that the directive aims to ensure that DOTr officials are conscious of the commuters’ needs.
According to Philippines News Agency, the memorandum signed by Lopez includes the undersecretary and assistant secretary for road transport and non-infrastructure, undersecretary and director for road transport and infrastructure, and undersecretary and assistant secretary for railways. Additionally, the assistant secretary, executive director, regional directors, and assistant regional directors of the Land Transportation Office, as well as the chair, executive director, regional directors, and assistant regional directors of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, are required to comply.
Railway officials such as the administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority, general manager of the Philippine National Railways, and general manager of Metro Rail Transit-3 are also encompassed by the order. Lopez emphasized that officials from other sectors are encouraged to take public transportation to truly understand the difficulties faced by commuters.
All designated officials are obligated to submit weekly reports with recommendations and action plans to improve public transportation. Lopez himself took a public bus on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City during rush hour, found the experience challenging, and committed to finding immediate solutions to reduce commuter travel time.