Senator JV Ejercito was saddened by the resignation of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez, whom the legislator described as “one of the more passionate officials” in the department.
“That is sad because Usec. Chavez is one of the more passionate DOTr officials especially on railway projects,” Ejercito, vice chairperson of the Senate public services panel, said on Thursday, moments after Chavez announced his resignation.
READ: DOTr Usec. Cesar Chavez resigns over MRT-3 mess
“Maaring back to zero nanaman sino man ma-appoint. At least kay Usec. Chavez alam niya na by now mga problema at kailangan gawin. I expect delays and more problems specially may transition,” he added.
Ejercito lamented that the new officer in charge would need time to know the problems and eventual solutions surrounding the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) mess.
“Problem is, we do not really have rail or tech experts who can take over and is equipped with the knowledge already,” he said.
The senator noted, however, that most of the MRT-3’s problems were just “inherited” from the past administrations.
“Most of the problems were inherited so not the present officials’ fault,” he said.
Chavez announced his resignation during a press conference early Thursday amid the persistent mechanical glitches pestering the MRT-3.
“I’m tendering my irrevocable resignation. Hindi pwedeng lagi tayong naninisi sa nakaraan dahil sa responsibilidad na natin ito,” Chavez said in a press briefing.
(I’m tendering my irrevocable resignation. We cannot always blame the past because this is already our responsibility.) /kga