Beginning this week, officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) are mandated to take public transportation to their offices at least once every week. The order stems from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to find immediate solutions that would ease the daily struggles of commuters.
In a memorandum issued by Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, officials assigned to the road and rail sectors have been instructed to ride public transport regularly. The goal, Lopez explained, is for them to gain a clearer grasp of the commuters’ situation and the challenges they face every day.
“Our officials in the Road and Rail sectors should really be the ones out in the field often, because most of our projects are in these areas,” Lopez said.
He went on to stress that the order is not confined to these two sectors alone. Other officials are also encouraged to commute, as Lopez believes this is the only way to truly see and feel firsthand the hardships endured by the riding public.
Alongside the weekly commute, officials are required to submit reports detailing their observations, along with recommendations and proposed action plans to improve public transportation. These inputs are expected to guide future programs and policies of the department.
Leading by example, Lopez himself took public transport during the Monday morning rush hour on his way to the DOTr office. The experience gave him the opportunity to interact directly with passengers and witness for himself the realities of daily travel.
The measure underscores the importance of grounding decisions in lived experiences rather than relying solely on reports. By commuting with the public, DOTr officials are expected to craft solutions that are practical, responsive, and rooted in reality.
Through this initiative, the DOTr aims to strengthen its commitment to build a transport system that is not only efficient, but also attuned to the needs and struggles of Filipino commuters.
