Ahoy! Welcome aboard the new transportation train.

For decades, motorists, workers, students, and commuters have struggled with the poor public services, shortfalls, palakasan system, traffic congestion, and the overdue transport projects.

Now, there appears to be a streak of light at the end of the dark transport tunnel with the appointment of Vivencio “Vince” Dizon as the new Transportation Secretary. Finally, the country’s biggest transport problems will get the attention and action that they deserve.

If you will recall, my dear readers, the name Vince Dizon was very prominent during the pandemic. Being the chief testing czar and chief coordinator of the Test, Trace, Treat Program, Dizon became legendary as the deputy chief implementer of the National Action Plan Against Covid-19.

I remember interviewing Secretary Vince at the height of the pandemic where he answered every uncertain question with the assurance that it would get done and there was nothing to worry about for the government was on top of its game.

Having served at the forefront of the vaccine rollouts and mass testing at a time the country was faced with a very difficult public health crisis, and having been president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Dizon’s expertise in infrastructure development and crisis management, together with multi-agency coordination, definitely qualifies him as the best person to face our skyrocketing transportation problems head on.

There’s more to transform in the transportation sector, but since this is a shipping page we will focus more on the maritime industry.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) under the leadership of general manager Jay Santiago is optimistic about the new leadership in the Department of Transportation, particularly the maritime sector.

Ports are one of the drivers of the public transport system considering that the Philippines is an archipelagic nation. The PPA serves as the bridge for trade, commerce, and people to over 7,000 islands and to the world. Therefore, let us await the next infrastructure projects that will soon rise in the maritime sector.

Aside from the PPA being one of the top government agencies preferred by jobseekers, it has been a long-time model agency when it comes to transparency in the workforce and infrastructure projects. With all these changes, we can expect things to finally get moving, especially with the new chief being a man of action.

Speaking of leaders walking their talk, the PPA management recently literally walked a few meters from its head office to donate computers, printers, scanners, tables, chairs, and filing cabinets to its neighboring school, Manila Science High School, where around 500 students will benefit and enhance their learning experience.

Spearheaded by the PPA employees union called Pambansang Tinig at Lakas sa Pantalan, the donation happened on Valentine’s Day to show PPA’s “PantaLOVE” for all. GM Santiago said this was in response to the letter of Manila Science High School students asking for equipment to support their studies in science and technology.

John Debrick de Guzman, a Grade 11 student who dreams of being an IT geek in the future, is one of those who will benefit from the donation. He said the donation will widen their knowledge of computing codes and will bring them closer to the opportunities that will help them access the world of technology.

John is also one of the commuters who is looking forward to great changes in the transportation sector to ease their plight as students using public transport, especially during late night school activities and paperwork.

These students and the new generation of riders, commuters and the public are the hope of our country; they are the beneficiaries of the projects and decisions our leaders make today.

The road to a better transportation system is not going to be easy; in fact, it is going to be a bumpy ride for there will always be challenges along the way, but with the changes in place, we, together with the students and commuters now have a reason to hope for better transport days for we are all in the same boat!