Latest news with #Dizon
GMA Network
2 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
Marcos wants 'Mt. Kamuning' footbridge replaced, says DOTr chief
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the replacement of the NIA-Southroad-Scout Borromeo footbridge, which was given the moniker "Mt. Kamuning" footbridge due to its height, according to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon. In Joseph Morong's exclusive report on '24 Oras' on Wednesday, pedestrians were out of breath every time they used the footbridge due to its height. A group of friends also created a tradition where they 'hike' the footbridge in full gear every April Fool's Day. A US-based consul general of the Netherlands also criticized the footbridge, saying that it is proof that pedestrians are neglected. According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the height of the footbridge is equivalent to four to five floors of a building. The footbridge is dark at night, while it is slippery during the rainy season. When Dizon used the footbridge, he noticed that it was shaky. 'May dumadaan pong vehicle sa baba, me ground vibration dun, yung nagko-cause ng uga pero generally safe naman. Hindi naman po tutumba,' Joshua Rodriguez of DOTr said. (It was shaky because a vehicle passed through. There was vibration, but it is generally safe.) 'It doesn't feel safe,' Dizon countered. In 2018, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) constructed the P10-million footbridge since there were many reported accidents and robberies in the area. Marcos observed the footbridge during the launching of the Pamilya Pass at MRT-3 over the weekend. 'Tear it down and build a better one,' Dizon said, pertaining to the President's order. 'Alam nyang deka-dekada nang ganito, eh ayusin naman natin para sa ating mga kababayan para madali (he knows it has been a long-time problem, so let us fix it for our countrymen's convenience),' he added. "Mt. Kamuning will be replaced with a lower footbridge that has an elevator. It will be placed at the EDSA Bus Carousel Kamuning Station. 'Ang pinakamadaling paglilipatan para isahan na rin dun na sa busway stop natin (that would be the most convenient location since the busway could also use it),' Dizon said. The construction is expected to begin this year. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Marcos agreed PUV modernization not viable at present — Palace
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. agreed that the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) is not viable as most jeepney drivers have to borrow money to acquire a new unit. On Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the President's sentiment on the remarks made by Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon that the modernization program is not feasible at the moment. ''Nong binanggit po ito ni Secretary Dizon kay Pangulo, positibo naman po ang response ng ating Pangulo at ayaw naman din po niyang pahirapan ang mga operators at mga jeepney drivers natin kung ipu-push po ito tapos parang pilit,'' Castro said at a press briefing. (When Secretary Dizon mentioned this to the President, his response was positive and he doesn't want operators and jeepney drivers to feel the burden if the government will push for this at this time.) ''So, dapat po talagang aralin para po lahat po naman ay maging maayos ang takbo at pag-implement po ng programa na ito,'' she added. (There's really a need to study this so that the implementation of the program will be smooth.) Dizon earlier said that a modernized jeepney unit costs roughly between P2.5 million to P2.8 million, of which 15% to be subsidized by the government. Drivers will shoulder an estimated P40,000 He said that transport cooperatives and operators were given "limited" loaning options with the PTMP. The DOTr has also come up with several interventions in a bid to address the problem, according to Dizon. Initiated in 2017, the PTMP—formerly the PUV Modernization Program—seeks to replace old jeepneys with Euro 4-compliant models to reduce pollution and improve road safety. However, the cost of a modern jeepney exceeds P2 million, a price deemed too steep even by government financial institutions. The program mandated the consolidation of individual PUV franchises into cooperatives or corporations. Unconsolidated units were classified as ''colorum'' and were subject to penalties. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
LRT, MRT to launch cashless fare payments starting July, says DOTr
Starting this July, commuters using the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) systems can pay their fares using debit cards, credit cards, or e-wallets, eliminating the need for Beep cards and reducing long queues, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). Instead of purchasing and reloading stored-value Beep cards, passengers will be able to simply tap their phones or cards at the turnstiles to access the train platforms. DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the implementation of cashless turnstiles under the automatic fare collection (AFC) system will begin next month. 'This should be rolled out around July. We're bringing it to the MRT and other trains. Even credit cards will be accepted. You just tap your phone—no need to buy a Beep card,' he said. Dizon also expressed surprise that such a system hadn't been implemented earlier, noting that the technology for a cashless MRT has been ready for immediate deployment. He added that the initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., who had instructed the DOTr to create an open-loop payment system compatible with various financial platforms. Some commuters welcomed the change, saying that the cashless option would eliminate long lines, inconvenience, and potential health risks at train stations.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Common station, MRT-7 finished by 2027 — DOTr's Dizon
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday committed that the common station for LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7 lines will open in 2027, coinciding with the start of the operation of MRT-7 which connects Metro Manila and Bulacan. Dizon said this prior to the approval of his ad interim appointment as secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) by the transportation committee of the Commission on Appointments (CA). 'Ang goal po natin is makahanap na tayo ng bagong gagawa at magtatapos ng istasyon ng common station ngayong 2025 at ang timeline natin is kasabay sana ng opening ng MRT-7 ay tapos na rin ang common station, para by 2027 tapos na po finally,' he said. (Our goal is to find a new contractor to build and finish the common station by 2025. Our timeline is to finish the common station at the same time as the opening of the MRT-7, so that by 2027 it will finally be finished.) 'Parang 15 years na itong mga proyektong ito between common station, MRT-7, at ang koneksyon ng LRT-1 at MRT-3. Mahigit isang dekada na ito, halos 15 years na. Tingin ko, within the term of the President, lahat ng prokeytong ito ay matatapos na at operational,' he added. (These projects—the common station, MRT-7, and the connection of LRT-1 and MRT-3—have been going on for 15 years. It's been more than a decade, almost 15 years. I think, within the term of the President, all these projects will be completed and operational.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
EDSA rehab not canceled despite postponement —DOTr's Dizon
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday clarified that the rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) is not technically canceled despite its month-long postponement. Dizon made the clarification upon the interpellation of Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel during the Commission on Appointments' (CA) panel meeting to consider his ad interim appointment as chief of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). NOW: The Commission on Appointments considers the ad interim appointment of Vince Dizon as Secretary of Department of Transportation. @gmanews — Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) June 3, 2025 'Hindi naman po ibig sabihin canceled... Pero sabi lang talaga ng Pangulo, nakinig siya sa ating mga kababayan, for us to find a better way and a faster way,' Dizon explained. (It doesn't mean it was canceled... But the President really just said—he listened to our countrymen—for us to find a better way and a faster way.) According to DOTr secretary, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. wants to expedite the rebuilding of the major thoroughfare from two years to six months. 'When he (the President) said a better way, he essentially meant a way that would be faster para hindi masyadong mahirapan ang ating mga kababayang dumadaan sa EDSA [so that it will not cause too much trouble to our countrymen passing EDSA],' he added. The Department of Public Works and Highways is the lead agency in the EDSA rehabilitation, which was supposed to begin on June 13. Marcos announced on Sunday the postponement of the project, saying it needs to be studied for one month to know if there are new technologies that can be used to hasten the rehabilitation of the 23.8-kilometer road. The estimated budget for the EDSA rehabilitation which aims to modernize the major thoroughfare and make it flood-free is P8.7 billion, until the end of 2026. Dizon said that by 2027, the DPWH estimated that the budget would total to P15 billion. 'Advanced stages na ng procurement, meron na atang mga natapos na ang procurement pero alinsunod dito sa utos ng ating Pangulo na i-pause muna at maghanap ng mas maganda at mas mabilis na paraan, eh baka kailangan is mag-adjust ang DPWH dito. But again I have to defer to DPWH on this,' he said. (I think the procurement is already in advanced stages, some of the procurements have already been completed. But according to our President's order to suspend the project and find a better and faster way, the DPWH may need to adjust also. But again I have to defer to DPWH on this.) The EDSA rehabilitation was supposed to pave the way for the 24-hour odd-even scheme and the waiving of toll in parts of Skyway Stage 3, among other interventions. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
