DOTr backs bill seeking to require gov’t execs to commute once a month

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday welcomed the bill filed by Quezon City Representative Winston Castelo seeking to require the government officials to use public transport modes once a month.

"The DOTr recognizes the good intent of the House committee chair on Metro Manila Development and House committee member of Transportation Winston Castelo, as we look forward to working with him on this proposal and other similar legislations that could help in addressing our transportation needs," the department said in a statement.

The DOTr acknowledged that in order to serve the riding public better, it is important to empathize with them.

"We would like to note that even in the absence of a bill, most of our officials take public transport. Secretary Tugade, for instance, commutes using different public transport modes to his appointments," it added.

The Transport department also vowed that it will continue to find ways to better relate to the situation of the commuters and to give effective responses to their needs.

On Monday, Castelo filed House Bill 8859, or the proposed Government Officials Public Transportation Duty Act, so that public officials would have "first-hand" experience on how to solve the traffic problem in the country. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News