MANILA (September 5) — In his first days in office, the new transportation director is holding himself to high standards by announcing intentions to open the bidding for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and cut airfares for the holidays.
In an effort to reduce airfares before the Undas holiday and the Christmas season, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez will meet with airlines next week.
When previous Transport Chief Vince Dizon asked carriers to reduce the cost of domestic flights to well-known locations like Siargao, the discussion will continue where he left off.
According to the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) monitoring, round-trip airfares to Siargao have risen to P30,000. Given that the fuel surcharge has dropped to all-time lows this year, Dizon believed the rate was excessive.
Lopez stated that Dizon and the airlines had a meeting last week. “This next week, I’m going to visit with them as well to find out how their conversations went. The goal is undoubtedly to have it lowered.”
In order to upgrade the infrastructure for future needs, the Gokongwei and Gotianun families, who are leading the Philippine Regional Airports Consortium, are putting forward a P16 billion takeover proposal for three airports, including one in Siargao.
In order to increase flight efficiency and lower passenger rates, the plan calls for Sayak Airport in Siargao to be equipped to handle jetliners.
The P229-billion concession to run and maintain the NSCR for 15 years would be presented to rail operators by Lopez at an investment roadshow in Japan.
The concession for the management of NSCR was originally scheduled to be put out to bid by DOTr in September, but Lopez stated that the agency is pushing this back to October. In accordance with President Marcos’ order, the goal at the moment is to attract as many bidders as possible.
NSCR’s trains, stations, and depots are operated and maintained under the concession. Additionally, it will cover the NSCR’s collaborations with other railroads, including the Metro Manila Subway Project.
Lopez was Dizon’s undersecretary for administration, finance, and procurement before taking on his present role as transport head.
Prior to becoming the chief of staff for previous transport chief Arthur Tugade, Lopez, a lawyer and accountant by profession, served in a number of capacities inside the DOTr throughout the Duterte administration.
