Filipinos pushed for stricter immersion of government officials after Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered top executives of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to try public transportation at least once a week on their way to work.
Lopez on Monday, September 15 issued a memorandum obliging officials of the department to take public modes of transportation available to them weekly from their residences to their places of business or work.
Starting Wednesday, September 17, the DOTr officials must use the public utility jeep or public utility vehicle, the EDSA Busway, the MRT, LRT-1, or LRT-2 to commute to their offices at least once a week.
Lopez said the initiative aims to allow DOTr officials to gain “first-hand experience in the operations of various modes [of] public transportation to better understand the predicaments of the community or riding public.”
His memorandum said it is also in light of the agency’s mandate to provide fast, safe, efficient, and reliable transportation services.
The initiative was likewise in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr‘s order to provide an immediate solution to the commuters’ problems so they can have a faster and more convenient trip.
Reports required. Officials must also submit weekly accomplishment reports, with photos or tickets as proof of compliance, detailing their observations and recommendations. These reports will be discussed during DOTr’s executive committee meetings.
The DOTr said Lopez had already taken the initiative by commuting during the Monday morning rush hour to personally interact with commuters and see for himself the experiences they go through in their daily trips.
Public reactions
The memorandum was welcomed by Filipinos who agreed with the directive for DOTr officials to commute and experience what commuters encounter.
Others, meanwhile, aired suggestions after learning of the initiative.
“On a daily basis dapat. Especially Monday and Friday,” a Facebook user said.
“Try niyo rush hour para mas makita ninyo sitwasyon ng ganung oras. Para maranasan niyo makipagsiksikan at maipit,” another user commented.
“Yes. Ganyan dapat. Pero dapat hindi naka-special lane ah, as in, pumila sila. Makisiksikan. Maipit. Mainitan,” wrote a different Pinoy.
“Immersion should not be selective. It should be at ground level daily for at least [two months], better yet, a year. No epals, no cameras, no VIP treatment,” another user commented.
“Using the lowest form of mass transportation from one point to another… Go during peak hours too, because that is when the problem is most felt,” the user added.
“Why once a week only? Dapat everyday,” said another Pinoy.
Lopez said that officials of the DOTr’s Road and Rail sector should be the ones to really immerse themselves in public transport.
“Sila talaga ‘yung mga dapat lumalabas lagi, kasi karamihan ng ating mga proyekto ay nasa mga sektor na ito,” he said.
“‘Yung mga ibang opisyal naman sa ibang sectors, hinihikayat din nating mag-commute dahil ito lang talaga ‘yung paraan para makita at madama first hand kung ano ba ang hirap na nararanasan ng mga commuters,” Lopez added.
In the metro, it is not unusual for commuters to experience snake-like queues and jampacked PUVs and trains going to and from their places of work or businesses.
