Transport coalition says DOTr needs new leadership 

National Public Transport Coalition head Ariel Lim calls for new leadership at the Department of Transportation during a press conference in Malate, Manila, Tuesday, May 17, 2022. INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — A coalition of transport groups is urging the incoming administration to change the leadership of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Ariel Lim, head of the National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC), made the appeal to presumptive president “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. amid rumors that Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade will be reappointed as DOTr chief under his administration.

“Ang unang dapat gawin, palitan ang liderato na luma, walang babalik, dapat puro bago dahil gusto ninyo ng unity, magkaka-unity lang po kapag pinalitan ninyo ang nasa hanay ng DOTr, wala nang babalik,” Lim said in a press conference in Manila.

(The first thing we need to do is to change the old leadership, change all the old officials. Since you want unity, we will only achieve unity if you change the leadership in DOTr, no one should return.)

Lim also thanked Tugade for his service but urged the official to rest.

“Mr. Tugade, magpahinga na po kayo, pasensya na po kayo… Nakapaglingkod na po kayo ng straight na anim na taon, maraming salamat po,” Lim also said.

(Mr. Tugade, it’s time for you to rest, I am sorry. You have already served for six straight years, thank you for your service.)

A list of supposed Cabinet members — which included Tugade as DOTr chief — has been circulating online. The camp of Marcos, however, denied the list, saying the search for the members of the incoming administration’s Cabinet was still ongoing.

Lim said they are not backing anyone to become the next Transport Secretary.

However, the NPTC, in a manifesto dated May 17, has laid out the ideal qualifications for the new DOTr chief, as they requested that the transport coalition be involved in the selection of the next DOTr head.

The transport coalition said the next DoTr chief should be a “technocrat” who has significant experience and knowledge in urban planning and traffic management.

The next transportation secretary should also be very familiar with transportation laws, policies, and regulations in the country, according to NPTC.

Finally, the NPTC said they are looking for the next DOTr chief who “demonstrates empathy that can help him or her identify with the plight of millions of public transport workers, put himself or herself in their shoes, and create solutions that will improve their welfare for the long term.”

KGA