ni Lolet Abania | June 23, 2022
Napili ni President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. si dating Philippine Airlines (PAL) president at chief operating officer Jaime Bautista bilang susunod na Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief sa kanyang administrasyon.
Ito ang kinumpirma ni incoming Executive Secretary Attorney Vic Rodriguez sa mga reporters ngayong Huwebes. Papalitan ni Bautista si Arthur Tugade na kalihim ng DOTr sa Hunyo 30.
Si Bautista na isang certified public accountant ay nagtrabaho sa PAL ng 25 taon at nagsilbi bilang kanilang presidente ng 13 taon bago ang kanyang retirement noong 2019.
Gayundin, in-appoint ni P-BBM si dating Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) deputy administrator Cesar Chavez bilang Undersecretary-designate for Rails ng DOTr.
Ayon sa kampo ni Marcos, si Chavez ang naging instrumento sa pagse-secure ng approval ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) para sa Metro
Manila Subway, PNR Manila to Calamba, PNR Manila to Bicol, at ang Tagum-Davao-Digos Mindanao rail projects.
Bago pa magsilbi sa transport sector, si Chavez ay assistant general manager for planning ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at chairman ng National Youth Commission (NYC).
“I will not preempt the transport policy initiatives of the incoming president and incoming transport secretary, but my immediate concerns will be how to simplify decision-making processes and hasten the project completion of railway projects, and prioritize Visayas and Mindanao in the planning of future rail projects,” pahayag ni Chavez.
Napili rin ni Marcos ang abogadong si Cheloy Garafil, MNSA, na maging chairperson ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Sa kasalukuyan, si Garafil ay service director sa Committee on Rules ng House of Representatives. Nagsilbi rin siya bilang prosecutor ng Department of Justice (DOJ) at State Solicitor sa Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
Gayundin, si Christopher “Chet” Pastrana ay napili ni Marcos na maging general manager ng Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Ayon sa kampo ni P-BBM, si Pastrana ay marami nang karanasan sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng aviation, logistics, at public maritime transport.