Gov’t transport officials must commute regularly, says lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Winston Castelo filed on Monday a bill requiring ranking government officials in charge of public transportation to take public transport at least once a month.

Castelo told INQUIRER.net that he already filed House Bill No. 8859 dubbed as the “Government Officials Public Transportation Duty.”

Section 2 of the proposed measure requires all government officials with a rank of director and higher from agencies in charge of transportation, like the Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation and Regulatory Board, to take public transportation at least once a month.

In a press briefing, Castelo argued that officials would only discern the gravity of the transportation issues hounding the country if they experience commuting.

“Because how would they be able to know the gravity of the problem kung may mga wangwang sila, may mga hawi boys po sila,” the lawmaker said.

(How can they get hold of the problem if they ride around with motorcycle escorts).

“What is important is that they should be feeling and experiencing ito pong hardship so that they will act with dispatch and with sincerity.”

“So, we do not allow these government officials to relax while they (the public) are suffering,” Castelo added./gsg