Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has issued a directive requiring all Department of Transportation (DOTr) officials to commute to the office at least once a week. This policy aims to deepen officials’ understanding of the daily challenges faced by commuters and to inform more effective public transport policies.
In a memorandum released Monday, Lopez specifically called on officials from the road and rail sectors to use public transportation regularly. He emphasized firsthand experience as key to crafting solutions that address commuter needs.
Officials are mandated to submit reports after their commutes, including recommendations and action plans for improving the system. Lopez himself commuted during rush hour Monday, riding buses and the MRT-3 along heavily congested routes, citing the severe lack of public transportation and the exhausting nature of daily commutes.
To address traffic and commuter flow, Lopez announced plans to deploy additional traffic enforcers along Commonwealth Avenue through coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). He will also instruct the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to increase the number of Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) and issue new franchises in high-demand areas to reduce commuter wait times.
This policy underscores DOTr’s commitment to making transportation reforms more responsive and grounded in the real experiences of Filipino commuters.
