March 26, 2025 — The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) held its latest Fellows Meeting at the Manila Golf and Country Club, featuring newly appointed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon as guest speaker.
Secretary Dizon laid out the department’s transport priorities and solutions, reflecting on his first month in office. With 26 years in government, Dizon was previously the president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), where he was instrumental in the Build Build Build program. Before joining the DOTr, Dizon was the Chief Regulatory Officer of Prime Infrastructure.
During his remarks, Secretary Dizon reaffirmed his strong support for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a crucial tool in accelerating infrastructure development. Citing successful airport projects such as Cebu-Mactan, Panglao, and Puerto Princesa, he proudly noted that the Cebu-Mactan Airport was recognized as Best Airport in Asia Pacific in the 2024 Airport Service Quality Awards.
Among the DOTr’s top priorities is the implementation of the jeepney modernization program. Acknowledging concerns from transport groups, Dizon emphasized the need to explore innovative solutions to address the amortization costs of modern jeepneys.
He also highlighted plans to enhance and modernize the EDSA Busway, which serves approximately 200,000 commuters daily. Improvements include installing a modern dispatch system and exploring PPP arrangements. Notably, the SM Group has supported this initiative by donating two EDSA busway concourses—one recently constructed at SM North EDSA, and another at SM Megamall set to open later this year.
“High-capacity mass transport works—even in its crudest form, it works. We just have to keep improving it,” Dizon asserted.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism for major infrastructure milestones that are expected to ease Metro Manila’s traffic woes. These include the completion of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension up to Zapote Station and the long-awaited North Triangle Common Station connecting LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7—both targeted for completion by the end of President Marcos Jr.’s term.
Additionally, the DOTr is preparing to re-privatize MRT-3 after the expiration of its build-operate-transfer agreement with the Metro Rail Transit Corporation in mid-2025.
The department is also working to resolve right-of-way issues that have delayed key projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway. Dizon noted recent progress on right-of-way issues in San Jose del Monte, paving the way for the completion of MRT-7 by 2027.
In closing, Secretary Dizon stressed the importance of an integrated and comprehensive approach to public transportation to alleviate the suffering of ordinary commuters.
“You cannot look at public transport as just [EDSA] busway [and] MRT—no. It’s end-to-end,” he said.
Attended by FEF Fellows, thought-leaders, decision-makers, and members of the business community, the Fellows Meeting is a monthly meeting held by FEF to discuss prevalent economic issues in the country.
by Cesar Ilao III
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