Newly appointed Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants government officials to set aside political disputes and focus on addressing the country’s pressing problems.
The statement followed a Cabinet reshuffle that returned Dizon to the DOTr, while outgoing Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez was appointed head of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Speaking at a press conference at the DPWH central office, Dizon said the President’s message was clear: officials should stop engaging in political infighting and prioritize public service.
“Trabahante lang kami, we just work. Hindi kami politiko, wala kaming ambisyon, wala kaming kahit ano. Kahit homeowners association president hindi namin inaambisyon ni Sec. Banoy. Trabaho lang kami,” Dizon said.
“I think this is the message that the President wants to send to the entire country. Ang gusto niya, tama na muna ’yung politika, tama na muna ’yung away, tama na muna ’yung siraan, bangayan, trabaho tayo. Daming problema ng Pilipinas eh,” he added.
He added that the country faces numerous challenges, including problems involving transportation and infrastructure, leaving little time for political disputes.
“We don’t have time to waste our time with politics and fighting, pointing fingers because we need to work. Because we have to address these problems that everyone faces,” he said.
Dizon stressed that he and Lopez were were grateful for the continued trust placed in them by Marcos and would focus on their respective assignments during the remaining period of the administration.
Dizon also cited the President’s directive to “disrupt the rotten system and make the reforms last,” saying their priority was to deliver improvements in government services.
He said the administration’s remaining less than two years should be spent working to address problems affecting Filipinos, including flooding and traffic congestion.
Dizon recalled telling DPWH personnel that all Filipinos are affected by road and transportation issues, whether as motorists, commuters or pedestrians.
“Lahat tayo motorista, lahat tayo commuter, lahat tayo pedestrian, lahat tayo gumagamit ng kalye, lahat tayo binabaha, lahat tayo natatraffic,” he said.
“Sabi nga ng Pangulo natin, kung nasa gobyerno ka, trabaho lang tayo,” he added.
The reshuffle places Dizon back at the helm of the DOTr, while Lopez takes over the DPWH. The changes come amid speculation that the transfers may have been politically motivated, but Dizon said he and Lopez would concentrate on carrying out their responsibilities.
“In the final less than two years of his administration, ang gagawin lang namin ay magtrabaho,” Dizon said, adding that their goal was to make whatever improvements they could under the President’s instructions.
