By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) road-clearing chief Gabriel Go is set to join the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as an assistant secretary, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed.
While his formal appointment is pending, Dizon noted that Go is already assisting the department. Alongside acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua Jr., Go is currently investigating alleged fare overcharging by taxis and four EDSA busway firms, with a hearing scheduled for November 11. Dizon plans to tap Go to oversee road transport, infrastructure, and the EDSA busway system.
Meanwhile, the DOTr is fast-tracking upgrades at the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) station to ease holiday congestion. Before Christmas, the agency will install four additional ticket booths and gates, along with new directional signage, to alleviate bottlenecks affecting roughly 27,000 daily commuters.
Dizon clarified that station overcrowding stems from limited ticketing areas rather than train shortages. Still, the DOTr will deploy three more trains for the holiday rush—bringing the active fleet to 32—and plans to build a connecting pedestrian crosswalk next year.
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