By Money staff

He’s always around. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon wanted to show commitment through a hands-on and quick response approach.

Just over four months as head of the Department of Transportation, Dizon has introduced changes that indicate that profound changes are on the way in the mobility sector.

On 13 February 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Dizon as DoTr secretary, replacing Jaime Bautista, who resigned citing health reasons. Dizon took his oath of office before President Marcos on 21 February.

DoTr has become an active proponent of change through the projects that have been fast-tracked since Dizon’s assumption and his direct engagement with stakeholders.

On his first day as secretary, Dizon ordered the suspension of a proposed compulsory cashless payment system for toll roads, labeling it “anti-poor” and prioritizing commuter accessibility over policy shifts.

Shortly after, he directed the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to expedite the release of license plates for new vehicles within 72 hours, addressing a long-standing issue of delays that frustrated vehicle owners.

The move received strong public support and the new DoTr chief was praised as “progressive” for his quick action on pressing issues. Additionally, Dizon’s emphasis on active transport, such as promoting walkability and cyclist-friendly infrastructure through the Active Transportation Strategic Master Plan (ATSMP), underlined a vision for sustainable and inclusive mobility.

His call for civil society groups to provide feedback on pedestrian facilities further demonstrates a collaborative approach, aiming to integrate public input into policy design.

Dizon has prioritized several critical areas in his short tenure, focusing on infrastructure development, public transport improvements and operational efficiency.

Dizon inherited a portfolio of 69 out of 186 flagship projects under the Marcos administration’s “Build Better More” program, including high-profile initiatives like the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway.