Magandang araw po. My heartfelt greetings and warmest welcome to our 2023 National Capital Region Dagyaw participants.
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
More than being the theme of this event, “Building a Better Government-Citizen Engagement through Quality Public Participation and Dialogue” is the very essence of Dagyaw town hall meetings.
As you may already know, Dagyaw is a Hiligaynon term for “Bayanihan,” or being together and working toward a common goal. And so today, we bring together and mobilize our stakeholders to promote and disseminate information on open government and participatory governance, especially as we discuss “Biyaheng Metro: Makabago at Epektibong Transportasyon para sa Pilipino.”
Transport is a key sector in the Philippine economy, linking population and economic centers across our archipelagic country. It is, literally and figuratively, our road and bridge toward economic transformation that is inclusive and sustainable for all generations.
Quoting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his speech during the launch of the Metro Manila Subway Project’s tunnel boring machine on January 9, 2023, "Having an effective and efficient transportation system will have multiplier effects on employment, the economy, and our society, for it will bring comfort, convenience, and an easier life for all.”
As such, improved transportation is part of our 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda and anchored on the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023 to 2028 to expand and upgrade infrastructure “toward a future where movement of people and goods is safely and efficiently facilitated by adequate and accessible transportation.”
And recognizing that infrastructure development is the backbone of the economy, this Administration continues to expand the Build, Better, More Program with Php 1.3 trillion for 2023, equivalent to 5.5 percent of GDP.
In fact, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was allocated Php 106.0 billion this year, Php 1.13 billion of which is intended for its Rail Transport Program, Php 430 million for the Land Public Transportation Program, and Php 1.29 billion for PUV Service Contracting.
Ngayong taon ay naglaan din tayo ng Php 891.02 million para sa Systems and Facilities Improvement Rehabilitation and Modernization Program ng Light Rail Transit Authority; at Php 404.00 million naman para po sa Railway System Maintenance ng Philippine National Railways o PNR.
Some Php 705 million was allocated for active transport, bike share system, and safe pathways program in metropolitan areas, highly-urbanized cities, and independent component cities to ensure inclusive transport and sustainable development.
We acknowledge that achieving improved transportation toward a better quality of life for all Filipinos calls for a multisectoral approach. And providing the necessary budgetary support to the transport sector is just one aspect of the solution.
And so, today is an opportune time to voice your concerns, engage in dialogues with the National Government, and enrich our democratic spaces—taking advantage of the opportunity provided to you by Dagyaw town hall meetings.
Rest assured that, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the rest of the Philippine government, we will listen and open more avenues for conversation, so that with you, we can steer the country toward our Agenda for Prosperity—one that is felt by every individual, family, and entity in the country.
Maraming salamat po at mabuhay po tayong lahat!
Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
