NEWLY-installed Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has vowed to work on the transformation of the transport industry.
He said the Philippine transportation system will be transformed and elevated into global standards as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos will focus its efforts on moving passengers and goods.
During the DOTr’s turnover of leadership at the DOTr offices in Clark Freeport, Bautista said the newly-minted DOTr administration will ensure to provide “accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe transport service throughout the country."
“As discussed during my initial meeting with President Bongbong, we will transform the Philippine transport industry and elevate it to global standards,” Bautista said.
“We should focus our efforts at moving passengers and goods that use our roads, airports, seaports, and railways,” he added.
The new DoTr chief likewise vowed to continue the Build, Build, Build Program of the previous administration.
“I would like to assure Secretary Art [Tugade] that we will seriously consider continuing the various programs implemented under [former] President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build Initiative,” Bautista said.
“We do not need to reinvent the wheel. These big-ticket projects truly deserve continuity to struck the maximum benefits for the Filipino people,” he added.
Bautista sought the help of all the DOTr’s officials and employees in addressing various issues concerning the transportation sector.
“As a newcomer to this office, I anticipate the usual hesitation to any changes in the way you do things. I promise to listen to your suggestions. I have always been a good listener,” he told DOTr officials and employees.
“I will not pretend to have all the solutions. With many daunting tasks ahead of us, I ask for your help in making this administration succeed in solving the seemingly insurmountable transport concerns of Filipinos,” he added.
Bautista said he is keen on making a difference at the agency.
“We will surely be under scrutiny if we can deliver. My confidence is derived from my own experience at overcoming far pernicious issues that allowed us to sharpen our perspective at attacking contentious problems,” he said.