Latest news with #DOTr
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Cebu Bus Rapid Transit pilot ops start September — DOTr
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday said it is set to launch the pilot operations of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu-BRT) in September. In a statement, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said at least three stations of the mass transit system will be operational come September, namely Fuente, Cebu Normal University and Cebu South Bus Terminal Station. Dizon said at least 70,000 commuters are expected to benefit from the Cebu BRT's pilot operations. Meanwhile, the construction for the Cebu Capitol station will follow, after finalizing its detailed engineering design to make it a median station from the previous curbside configuration, according to the Transportation chief. Dizon also expressed gratitude to the Cebu Provincial local government for coordinating with the DOTr in addressing issues of the project. The phases 2A and 3A of the Cebu BRT which are composed of 13 stations and 62 bus stops will be completed before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term ends in 2028, according to the Transport chief. — Ted Cordero/RF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Palace Rebukes VP Sara for Criticizing Typhoon Response, Rainwater Remark
Malacañang, through Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, strongly pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte's recent criticisms of the government's handling of Typhoon Crising and President Marcos' rainwater reuse proposal. In a briefing, Castro said VP Duterte is not in a position to comment on the administration's disaster preparations as she is currently on vacation in The Hague and was absent during key emergency meetings held before President Marcos left for the U.S. Castro emphasized that government agencies such as the DSWD, DOTr, and the Philippine Coast Guard had already acted swiftly, including providing free transportation and preparing food packs, all under the directive of the President. Responding to Duterte's sarcastic remark suggesting floodwater be sent to Malacañang for the President to drink, Castro said the VP appeared unaware of existing rainwater collection laws, specifically Republic Act No. 6716 enacted in 1989. She added that this proposal is rooted in sustainable water management policy—not simply storing water in pails as Duterte implied. Castro also cited examples of active rainwater collection projects by the DPWH and legislative efforts by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers to mandate such systems nationwide, criticizing Duterte for mocking the idea without understanding its legal and practical basis.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
2M passengers served under OVP's ‘Libreng Sakay' —spox
The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday said that it has doubled the number of beneficiaries under its "Libreng Sakay" (free bus ride) program, with over 2 million passengers served since last year. OVP spokesperson Ruth Castelo said that nine of its buses are currently deployed across the country to offer free rides to commuters, covering routes in Metro Manila, Naic-Cavite, Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, and Tacloban. 'Right now, as of June 30, 2025…we already served 2,025,275 people, passengers, 'yung naisakay na natin [who rode our buses] as of today,' Castelo said in an ambush interview. 'Kung everyday natin itong gagawin hanggang 2028, so naka six years din tayo at marami talaga sigurado ang matutulungan natin no'n. We have three more years, marami pa.' (If we do this every day until 2028, then we have a total of six years, so I'm sure that we will be able to help a lot of passengers. We have three more years, many more will be served.) In its 2024 accomplishment report, the OVP logged a total of 1,780,079 beneficiaries in all its programs, with the office's 'Libreng Sakay' program having the highest number of beneficiaries at 1,025,275. The buses run from Monday to Saturday with two separate schedules: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Castelo said that the OVP has made a proposal to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend the operations of the free buses to accommodate more passengers, especially during peak hours. 'Mag-submit kami lang ng mga more justifications para mapa-approve natin sa kanila. But they are also doing their own study kung feasible 'yung magdagdag pa tayo ng oras, magiging six hours,' she explained. (We will submit more justifications to the DOTr so that they can approve our proposal. But they are also doing their own studies to see if it is feasible to extend the operation and make it six hours.) 'Kaya lang…nakita niyo, kung magiging 4 to 10, that's six hours. Pero 'yung nakita niyo kasi sa PITX kanina, kailangan natin aralin kung kailangan pa magdagdag or anong lugar 'yung kailangan na dagdagan,' she added. (If it becomes 4 to 10 [am/pm], that will be six hours. But we still need to study if we need to add more hours or what area needs to have more buses.) Deployed The OVP under the leadership of Vice President Sara Duterte launched its free bus ride program in August 2022, with only five buses initially deployed in Metro Manila, Davao City, Cebu, and Bacolod. Back then, Duterte said the buses were lent to them by the private sector during the campaign period. After the 2022 elections, she said the OVP decided to deploy the buses instead in different parts of the country to support the DOTr's 'Libreng Sakay' under the government's nationwide service contracting program. Of the nine buses currently deployed, Castelo said that two were already bought by the OVP and the seven others were contracted and are expected to be returned to the owners after Duterte's term as vice president ends in 2028. ''Yung cost, maintenance, driver, 'yung mga may kondukor pa, 'yung mga maglilinis, 'yung wi-fi, lahat 'yan cost na ng Office of the Vice President,' the OVP spokesperson said. (The cost, maintenance, payment for the driver, conductor and cleaning staff, and the wifi—all of those are covered by the OVP.) 'Parang isang buwan, parang P170-180,000 'yung gastos ng OVP para doon sa nine buses na 'yun…operational expenses ng per bus,' she continued. (The OVP spends around P170-180,000 per month for the operational expenses of all the nine buses.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
PWDs get free MRT rides from July 17 - 23 on Disability Rights Week
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will enjoy free rides on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) from July 17 to 23, 2025 in celebration of National Disability Rights Week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Wednesday. The free rides will be available during the MRT-3's peak hours: from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This initiative aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to ease the cost of transportation for passengers and recognize significant national observances. 'All PWDs need to do is present a valid PWD ID to station personnel at the service gate to avail of the free ride,' the DOTr said in a statement. Outside of the designated free ride hours, PWDs, as well as senior citizens, may still avail themselves of the 50% fare discount, which remains in effect starting July 16. The MRT-3 management reiterated its commitment to providing inclusive and accessible public transport services for all sectors, especially the vulnerable. The week-long observance of National Disability Rights Week celebrates the rights, contributions, and empowerment of Filipinos with disabilities and aims to raise awareness on the need for equal opportunities across all sectors of society. — Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- GMA Network
LTO suspends for 90 days license of TNVS driver who allegedly tried to stab passengers
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended for 90 days the driver's license of a Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) driver who allegedly attempted to stab passengers, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said. 'Sinuspinde ng LTO ng 90 araw ang lisensya ng driver ng TNVS na inDrive na nakuhanan ng video ng pasahero na sapilitang nitong pinababa at tinangka umanong saksakin,' the DOTr said in a statement issued Wednesday. (The LTO has suspended for 90 days the license of the TNVS driver of inDrive who was caught on video forcing passengers to get off the vehicle and allegedly attempting to stab them.) The LTO also summoned the TNVS driver and the vehicle's registered owner to explain the incident. They were ordered to appear before the LTO on East Avenue, Quezon City on Monday, July 21. The involved vehicle was also placed under alarm. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon warned TNVS drivers that there are penalties for assaulting and intimidating passengers. According to the DOTr, the 90-day suspension of the TNVS driver's license is in response to the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure the safety of passengers in public transportation. —KG, GMA Integrated News
