DOTr to expedite past admin's projects —exec

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) would expedite the construction and implementation of the projects initiated by the previous administration, its Undersecretary Cesar Chavez said on Monday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Chavez said this is the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the department.

“Ang gusto rin ng ating Pangulo ay ituloy din ang magagandang programang nasimulan tulad ng subway. Ang kautusan lang ng ating Pangulo at Secretary Jaime Bautista ay bilisan ang completion ng mga project na ito,” he said.

(What our President wants is to continue the good projects that have been started like the subway. The only order of the President and Secretary Jaime Bautista is to expedite the completion of the projects.)

The DOTr is eyeing to finish the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 from North Avenue, Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan in two to three years, according to Chavez.

He added that they are targeting to complete the Manila to Malolos train project around 2024 to 2025.

Within the year, the common station for Line 1 and Line 3 would be implemented, Chavez said.

On Friday, Bautista vowed to transform and elevate the country’s transportation system to provide Filipinos “accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe transport service throughout the country.”

“As discussed during my initial meeting with President Bongbong, we will transform the Philippine transport industry and elevate it to global standards,” Bautista said.

“We should focus our efforts at moving passengers and goods that use our roads, airports, seaports, and railways,” he added. —KG, GMA News