By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has challenged fellow senators to experience the daily struggles of ordinary commuters, saying lawmakers should consider traveling to work through public transportation.
Gatchalian suggested a Senate finance subcommittee hearing on the Department of Transportation’s proposed P300.96-billion budget for 2027.
He cited a Department of Transportation policy requiring key officials to commute at least once a week so they can personally experience the difficulties faced by the riding public.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed that he continues to follow the directive but said he does not publicize his commutes on social media.
“To be honest, I don’t know if my subordinates are doing the same. That’s something I cannot check anymore,” Lopez said.
Gatchalian praised Lopez for keeping the practice low-profile and pointed to Sen. JV Ejercito, who regularly bikes to the Senate, as an example.
“In fact, us senators should also do this, to be honest about it,” Gatchalian said.
The DOTr is projecting that the country’s major railway projects could eventually remove as many as one million vehicles from Philippine roads once they become fully operational.
Lopez said the North-South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway, MRT-3 and MRT-7 could collectively serve about five million commuters every day.
He projected in response to Sen. Erwin Tulfo’s concerns over the country’s transportation system compared with those of other ASEAN neighbors.
“When all that combines and is operational, we see it benefiting up to five million passengers every day using that railway system,” Lopez said.
Using an average of five passengers per vehicle, Lopez said the projected railway ridership could translate into about one million fewer vehicles on the roads.
GATCHALIAN FLAGS P295-M FEES
Gatchalian also questioned the payment of P295 million in commitment fees to foreign lenders for transport projects delayed by various problems.
He cited the South Commuter Railway Project, which incurred P91 million in fees for undisbursed loans, and the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, which accumulated P85 million, largely because of prolonged right-of-way disputes.
“Whether the project is on time or not, that is our obligation for them making the loan available to us. This P295 million, these are commitment fees that were incurred because of delayed projects,” Gatchalian said.
He urged the DOTr to cancel unnecessary Official Development Assistance loans to prevent further commitment fees and other costs from accumulating on delayed projects.
ia/xf
