Dizon: privatizing policies to continue
NEWLY appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday he will continue the push to privatize critical transport infrastructure projects to improve the country's transportation system. "This is critical because I think that is the way to go... to my mind, and especially to the mind of our president, [this is] the way to go to make transport services more efficient," Dizon said on the sidelines of the turnover of leadership at the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Dizon lauded outgoing secretary Jaime Bautista for launching a "massive privatization" of several transport projects, including the modernization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which he said is now bearing fruit, as well as the privatization of the Laguindingan Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport. He added that the privatization of transport projects in road and railway infrastructure will be critical to ensure the efficiency of services to commuters. The privatization push is set to extend to other key transport sectors, including the operations and maintenance of the EDSA Busway. A feasibility study is under way and is expected to be completed within a few months, with the project set to be awarded by the end of 2026. The privatization of the MRT-3 is also in the works, with the terms of reference for both solicited and unsolicited proposals being finalized in coordination with the Public-Private Partnership Center, the Asian Development Bank, and the DOTr. Dizon pledged to expedite the government's infrastructure projects without disruption to ensure that Filipino commuters will reap the benefits of these transport projects. "We need to speed up instead of slowing down while passing the baton. We need to work harder and accelerate these [transport projects]," he said. "Once these projects are completed, the lives of our fellow Filipinos will truly improve." Dizon assured Bautista that projects under his term will continue. Among the flagship projects highlighted by the new DOTr chief are the North-South Commuter Railway which will connect Central Luzon to Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, decongesting major roadways and reducing travel times; the Metro Manila Subway, the privatization of regional airports as well as the construction of the EDSA Greenways Project. "Let's roll up our sleeves and let's get to work to get things done," Dizon said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
NEWLY appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday he will continue the push to privatize critical transport infrastructure projects to improve the country's transportation system.
"This is critical because I think that is the way to go... to my mind, and especially to the mind of our president, [this is] the way to go to make transport services more efficient," Dizon said on the sidelines of the turnover of leadership at the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Dizon lauded outgoing secretary Jaime Bautista for launching a "massive privatization" of several transport projects, including the modernization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which he said is now bearing fruit, as well as the privatization of the Laguindingan Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
He added that the privatization of transport projects in road and railway infrastructure will be critical to ensure the efficiency of services to commuters.
The privatization push is set to extend to other key transport sectors, including the operations and maintenance of the EDSA Busway. A feasibility study is under way and is expected to be completed within a few months, with the project set to be awarded by the end of 2026.
The privatization of the MRT-3 is also in the works, with the terms of reference for both solicited and unsolicited proposals being finalized in coordination with the Public-Private Partnership Center, the Asian Development Bank, and the DOTr.
Dizon pledged to expedite the government's infrastructure projects without disruption to ensure that Filipino commuters will reap the benefits of these transport projects.
"We need to speed up instead of slowing down while passing the baton. We need to work harder and accelerate these [transport projects]," he said. "Once these projects are completed, the lives of our fellow Filipinos will truly improve."
Dizon assured Bautista that projects under his term will continue.
Among the flagship projects highlighted by the new DOTr chief are the North-South Commuter Railway which will connect Central Luzon to Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, decongesting major roadways and reducing travel times; the Metro Manila Subway, the privatization of regional airports as well as the construction of the EDSA Greenways Project.
"Let's roll up our sleeves and let's get to work to get things done," Dizon said.
