The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has redirected P50 million from its vehicle procurement program to improve frontline service facilities at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ease long queues and boost customer experience.

In a memorandum dated 16 October, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the realignment of funds originally allotted for new vehicles at the DOTr Central Office to prioritize public service upgrades.

“The DOTr together with its sectoral offices such as the LTO and LTFRB shall undertake measures to improve the delivery of services including the enhancement of facilities used by the general public,” the order stated.

Lopez said over the weekend the reallocation will be used to “improve existing waiting/client areas in their respective offices,” which may include the “installation of air conditioning units, provision of water dispensers and sufficient chairs, among others.”

The transferred funds will be valid until the end of the year.

“We are doing this because, for us at the DOTr, it is more important that our fellow Filipinos have decent facilities. There should be air-conditioning so they are comfortable whether it’s sunny or raining,” Lopez said.

“There should be drinking water if they get thirsty and customers should be comfortable while waiting. Those are more important than new vehicles that can still be procured next year,” he added.