By Beatrice Puente
(November 29, 2022) – As the public transportation system in Metro Manila continues to be hounded by problems, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday appealed for understanding as it stressed the improvement efforts being undertaken.
DOTr secretary Jaime Bautista said it would be impossible for them to address the long-standing issues faced by commuters and motorists within only five months.
“I personally ask for the public’s understanding to give us more time to complete our projects,” said Bautista in a statement. “I welcome suggestions, comments, and even criticism. Any derogatory assessment of the country’s current transportation situation serves as a challenge for us to do more.”
Bautista was reacting to the results of the 2022 Urban Mobility Readiness Index that ranked the Philippines third to the last among 60 countries in urban mobility readiness. The country is also at the 48th and 56th spots in sustainable mobility and public transit, respectively.
“Road transport faces challenges, including the poor quality of roads in the metropolitan area and the limited regional connectivity provided by the national road network,” said the report, noting the congestion and pollution in Manila.
Many advocacy groups have been urging the government to provide substantial changes to the public transportation system to lessen the burden on motorists and commuters who are forced to spend long hours on the road just to get to work or school.
RELATED: WASTED HOURS | Commuters believe waiting time in public transportation too long, says survey
Even the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) estimated that the country will lose P5.4 billion daily by 2035 if the situation will not change. To address this, the Metro Manila Development Authority is working with JICA on crafting an action plan.
Bautista said they are trying to speed up the projects that the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte started despite bureaucratic and financial challenges.
“We are redesigning the framework of undertaking transport projects though effects to the riding public may take time because we are looking long-term,” vowed Bautista.
Former DOTr secretary Art Tugade, who served under Duterte, claimed that they “delivered” in solving many of the problems in the sector, boasting last May that “never before in the history of this country has the DOTr done so much in such a short time.”
RELATED: ‘KULANG PA’ | DOTr under Tugade still far from improving commuting experience, says group
President Bongbong Marcos Jr. has expressed support for improving roads and public transportation, including the development of the railway system and the modernization of airports and seaports to better connect provinces.
Ira Cruz, the director of AltMobility PH, said there’s nothing wrong with pursuing big-ticket projects but that should not be the only recourse of the government. He stressed the importance of introducing feasible policies and enacting pieces of legislation like the Commuter Bill of Rights.
“It’s really up to the government now to take action on a lot of these things and really address the issues we are facing today (and things) that we are preparing for in the future,” said Cruz on ABS-CBN News Channel.
(PM)
Our Privacy Commitment
TV5 Network Inc. values and respects your privacy. We are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its implementing rules and regulations.
We have developed a Privacy Policy that adopts and observes appropriate standards for personal data protection. While our Privacy Policy sets out the general principles governing the collection, use, and disclosure of our users’ personal information, our Privacy Commitment seeks to inform you more about TV5’s privacy practices.
Why do we collect your personal information (as applicable)?
We may collect and maintain basic information about you as site user of TV5 sites for the following purposes:
Where do we get your personal information?
There are several ways we collect your personal information.
Information that you personally provided.
Most of the personal information we have are those that you have provided us when you:
Information we collect during your engagement with us
We also collect information as you use our products and services, like:
Information we collect from other sources
Other means of collection of information may be through:
When do we disclose personal information?
There may be instances when we are required to share the information you provided us. In such cases, we ensure that your personal information will be disclosed on a confidential manner, through secure channels and in compliance with the Data Privacy Act and other privacy laws.
We will never share, rent, or sell your personal information to third parties outside of TV5 except in special cases where you have given consent, and in cases described in our privacy policy.
In some instances, we may be required to disclose your personal information to our agents, subsidiaries, affiliates, business partners and other third-party agencies and service providers as part of our regular business operations and for the provision of our programs and services. This means we might share your information with our service providers, contractors, and professional advisers who help us provide our services.
How we protect your personal information
The integrity, confidentiality, and security of your information is important to us. We have implemented technical, organizational, and physical security measures that are designed to protect your information from unauthorized or fraudulent access, alteration, disclosure, misuse, and other unlawful activities.
We also put in effect the following safeguards:
TV5 will not collect, use, or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than the purpose that you may have given your consent for.
What are your choices?
We make sure that we have your consent to continue to collect, use, and disclose your personal information for the purposes that we have identified. We want you to know that you may object or withdraw your consent and/or edit your consent preferences at any time.
If you wish to have access to the personal information in our custody or if you think that the personal information you provided is incomplete, or otherwise inaccurate, you may get in touch with our Data Protection Officer through the contact details provided below. In some instances, we may request for supporting documents or proof before we effect requested changes.
Data Protection Officer
TV5 Network Inc.
Reliance corner Sheridan Streets
Mandaluyong City
tv5dataprivacy@tv5.com.ph
What happens when there are changes in our Policy?
From time to time, we may update our privacy policy and practices to comply with changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, adapt to new technologies and protocols, and align with the best practices of the industry.
You will be provided notices if the changes are significant and, if we are required by law, we will obtain your updated consent.