Why New DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon Wants to Privatize More Transport Infrastructure

The new secretary of the Department of Transportation is hitting the ground running. 

Just days after he hogged headlines for his decision to halt the implementation of full cashless payments on expressways, Sectary Vince Dizon said he wants to double down on the privatization of the country’s key transport infrastructure, saying it’s a "critical" step in making the country's transportation system more efficient.

“This is critical [privatization of transport projects] because I think that is the way to go,” Dizon said in a statement. “Sec. [Bautista] can be assured that we will really push that forward because…to my mind and especially to the mind of our President, it’s the way to go to make transport services more efficient.”

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The current Transport Secretary lauded the efforts of his predecessor, Jaime Bautista, in initiating the privatization of several transport projects, particularly the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which is now run by a consirtium led by Ramon Ang's San Miguel Corp. These efforts, Dizon noted, are beginning to yield positive results. He also mentioned the planned privatization of regional airports such as Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental and the Bohol-Panglao International Airport.

Beyond airports

Dizon also underscored the importance of privatization not just in the country’s airports but in road transport and railway infrastructure as well. Projects slated for privatization in this sector are the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the Edsa Busway and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3.

Dizon said the feasibility study for the Edsa Busway privatization is set to be completed in a few months, with the project expected to be awarded by the end of 2026. 

Meanwhile, the terms of reference (TOR) for the MRT 3 privatization—covering both solicited and unsolicited proposals—are currently being finalized in collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, the Asian Development Bank, and the DOTr.

Dizon emphasized that “continuity is key to completing these projects,” noting that he honors the “passing of the baton” from Bautista. 

“Kailangan habang pinapasa ang baton, imbes na bumabagal, kailangan pang pinapabilis. Kailangan natin magtrabaho ng mas maigi, kailangan natin pabilisin ito [transport projects],” Dizon said. “Kapag natapos itong mga proyektong ito, talagang giginhawa ang buhay ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino.” 

Major projects Dizon vowed to prioritize include the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), the Metro Manila Subway, and the continued expansion of the Edsa Busway and Edsa Greenways Project.