Daven Tamayo

After accepting Heidi Mendoza's comment on LRT issues, Dizon says DOTr trying to improve

Article (news)

Ched Rick Gatchalian

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17547351964661754735195505.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>MANILA — Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has once again acknowledged former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza&#x27;s comments on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line&#x27;s issues, saying it all boils down to Marcos Jr. administration&#x27;s goal of addressing Filipino commuters&#x27; daily struggle.</p><p>Earlier this week, some praised Dizon after answering Mendoza in a comment section with point-by-point response, acknowledging the issues she brought up while also mentioning how those were addressed.</p><p>In an interview on DZMM Teleradyo, the Deparmtent of Transportation (DOTr) chief said he was delighted when he first saw Mendoza&#x27;s open letter.</p><p>&quot;Si Ma&#x27;am Heidi, kaibigan natin. [I&#x27;ve] known her since time ni [President Noynoy], she was one of the most respected people in the government... Natuwa ako, it was a chance to reconnect with her. Nalaman ko na regularly pala niya ginagamit MRT and LRT,&quot; he said.</p><p>He explained that reading Mendoza&#x27;s criticisms reminds him to fulfill the government&#x27;s goal of alleviating the daily struggles of common Filipinos.</p><p>&quot;It goes back to what the president really said, you know we really have to address &#x27;yung pang-araw araw na hirap ng mga kababayan natin. Lalo na &#x27;yung commuters natin. Kasama &#x27;to sa tina-try nating gawin araw-araw,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Lahat ng sinasabi ni Ma&#x27;am Heidi, totoo e. &#x27;Yung mga sinasabi nga niya &#x27;yung mga beep cards na nauubos, we called the attention of Ayala, talagang nagkukulang. Dahil nga doon &#x27;yung mga kababayan natin namemeke mula sa online,&quot; Dizon added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/30/fact-check-mrt-3-walang-pa-libreng-sakay-ng-isang-taon-1802">MRT-3, walang pa-libreng sakay ng isang taon</a> </div><p>In Dizon&#x27;s reply to Mendoza, he said the department will open up the LRT and the Metro Rail Transit to other providers of card payment systems aside from Beep.</p><p>He also said he instructed train line operators to check and fix ticket vending machines that have issues.</p><p>&quot;Sinabihan ko na rin po ang ating mga contractor para sa vending machines, na pagmumultahin namin sila kapag hindi naayos agad ang mga makina,&quot; Dizon wrote.</p><p>Dizon also said on his comment that they are trying to ease the process for seniors and persons with disabilities who have to fall in long lines every rush hour. They are coordinating with COA for a better plan.</p><p>&quot;Pero ma&#x27;am ang magandang balita dito is naglabas tayo ng dedicated beep card para sa mga seniors and PWDs natin na meron ng automatic na 50% discount sa card. Hindi na nila kailangang pumila ng pumila at ipakita ang kanilang seniors/PWD card,&quot; he added on his reply.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/16/tv-patrol-50-fare-discount-para-sa-senior-citizens-at-pwds-ipinatupad-sa-mrt-at-lrt-2029?obOrigUrl=true">50% fare discount para sa senior citizens at PWDs ipinatupad sa MRT at LRT</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>FILIPINOS CAN EXPECT MORE TECH ADVANCEMENT IN TRANSPORTATION</strong></div><p>Dizon said in the interview that employers or businesses can soon ink a deal with train stations to use their own card in paying in MRT-3 and LRT.</p><p>He said this is possible as DOTr already launched the pilot implementation of the automatic fare collection system (AFCS) in MRT-3.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/25/dotr-launches-cashless-payments-for-mrt-3-0955">DOTr launches cashless payments for MRT-3</a></div><p>&quot;Dahil sa teknolohiya, pwede na gawin &#x27;yan. May mga in-install tayong  turnstile doon. Pwedeng G-cash, pwedeng debit card, pwedeng credit card. Unang-una nating in-implement &#x27;yan,&quot; Dizon stressed.</p><p>Dizon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a &quot;tech-savy&quot; leader who wants to incorporate technology more on government services.</p><p>&quot;Kaya nga tinutulak &#x27;yung e-Gov app. Siya mismo tume-test no&#x27;n. Napakasimple, kahit mga seniors natin kaya gamitin, kahit mga kababayan natin &#x27;di masyadong sanay sa computer makakagamit, he explained.</p><p>Dizon also reiterated the government&#x27;s plan of fully deploying the 48 China-made Dalian trains by 2026.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/8/7/6-more-dalian-trains-to-be-deployed-this-month-or-by-september-1956">6 more Dalian trains to be deployed this month or by September</a></div><p>&quot;Sabi ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos paganahin na Dalian trains 2026, pipilitin natin,&quot; he said. &quot;May dalawa tayong malaking proyekto, sa Cebu at sa Davao.&quot;</p><p>Dizon shared the department will kickstart the pilot run of <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/23/cebu-bus-rapid-transit-to-do-pilot-run-in-september-1648">Cebu Bus Rapit Transit</a> in late September or early October.</p><p>In Davao, he said a modern bus system is also being prepared.</p><p>&quot;It will be the first modern bus system [sa bansa] na nakikita na natin sa Singapore, sa Hong Kong,&quot; he explained, citing features in time table, scheduling, and better road positioning.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AEOY3hh1_90?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has once again acknowledged former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza's comments on Light Rail Transit Line's issues, saying it all boils down to Marcos Jr. administration's goal of addressing Filipino commuters' daily struggle.</p>

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has once again acknowledged former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza's comments on Light Rail Transit Line's issues, saying it all boils down to Marcos Jr. administration's goal of addressing Filipino commuters' daily struggle.