By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz | Philippine News Agency
Newly-appointed Transportation acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Wednesday vowed to continue the “gold standard” of his predecessor, now Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, in leading a government agency.
During the turnover ceremony at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) office in San Juan City, Lopez said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered him to ensure continuity within the DOTr when he took his oath of office on Monday.
“[President Marcos] asked me and Secretary Vince to provide solutions to everyday problems that commuters face. And I assure you that the DOTr will continue to follow that mandate. I don’t want to be known as a politician, I want to be known as someone who gets things done,” he said.
Before he was appointed acting secretary, Lopez served as DOTr Undersecretary for Administration, Finance, and Procurement.
“Bilang isa sa kanyang mga undersecretaries, nakasama po niya ako sa kanyang mga inspections. Sa mga dayalogo sa mga stakeholders, at minsan paglulunsad ng mga proyektong makabuluhan tulad ng Love Bus,” he said.
He vowed to apply many of what he learned from Dizon, especially putting commuters’ welfare at the forefront.
“Kung gusto talaga nating solusyonan at tugunan ang problema ng mga commuter, kailangan natin lumabas sa ating opisina. We have to go out in the field, see the problem, and fix it in real-time,” he said.
On the other hand, Dizon taught him that accountability “saves lives.”
“Kailangan natin kastiguhin at panagutin ang mga abusadong operators, ang mga barumbadong drivers, ang mga bastos na pasahero. Higit sa lahat, kailangan natin panagutin ang mga corrupt na mga opisyal, tiwaling kawani ng departamento. For us, ni Sec. Vince, these are non-negotiable,” he said.
Lopez is a lawyer and a certified public accountant and has been in the DOTr since 2017 as Director for Legal Service.
He also served as Assistant Secretary for Procurement, Assistant Secretary for Project Implementation, and Chief of Staff of former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
“My previous position and designations in the DOTr have always been focused on action and implementation. Service roles that demanded concrete results,” he said.
In November 2022, he also served as Executive Director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
A native of Cagayan province, he graduated as Cum Laude at St. Paul University in Tuguegarao City with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and Bachelor of Laws at San Beda University in Manila.
“I can assure you that I will apply what [Dizon] taught me every day as his apprentice. And I will follow his culture and ways of doing things. Because at the end of the day, we both believe that our mission is to save Filipinos’ time so they can spend more of it with families and friends,” he said.
Construction for Ortigas Subway Station begins
Lopez, along with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, also inspected the long-delayed Ortigas Station of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), which finally began construction in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to expedite the project.
“Siguradong maraming komyuter ang makikinabang dito, lalo na’t marami ang nagtatrabaho dito sa business district ng Ortigas,” Lopez said.
The station is slated to be completed in three years and will be operational after an additional two years.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Mayor Vico sa tulong upang mapabilis ang konstruksiyon ng proyekto dahil napakahalaga talaga nito sa mga komyuter,” he said.
In a separate statement, Sotto said the demolition at the project site has officially begun after it was delayed due to several legal issues.
“Now, with the writ of possession and all necessary permits, there should be no further roadblocks,” he said.
Sotto likewise credited Dizon for resolving the issues.
“Pati ‘yong isang issue na concern ng local government unit (LGU) na ilang taon pinag-usapan, siya ang nakapag-ayos, parang dalawang buwan pa lang siyang secretary noon,” he said.
Sotto vowed that the Pasig City government would help ensure that the project goes smoothly.
“Kung may sumubok pang harangan o i-delay pa ang proyekto, naka-ready lang kami rito para tumulong. Congratulations to the DOTr and all other agencies and groups involved. We Pasigueños are excited for the two subway stations here!” he said.
