(Eagle News)–Transportation Secretary Art Tugade recently took public transportation and made unannounced visits in various terminals and offices.
Grab driver Sherwin Balolong said in a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 1, that Tugade was his passenger the day before.
His post was accompanied by a picture of himself inside the vehicle, with Tugade and two others seated at the back.
According to Balolong, Tugade’s group told him they took the bus from Alabang to Makati “at yung kotse ko naman ang na book nila para subukan ang TNVS.”
The Department of Transportation confirmed Balolong’s story in a statement on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddess Hope Libiran said the Grab driver even wanted to treat Tugade and his companions to a free ride, but the Secretary refused and insisted, saying, “Ay, hindi pwede! Dapat magbayad kami. Kapag hindi mo tinanggap ang bayad, magagalit ako.”
Series of unannounced inspections
The DOTr said the 7-minute Grab ride from Greenbelt to the Ayala Station of MRT-3 was part of a series of unannounced inspections made by Tugade and his team.
It came after Tugade came from a trip to the Caraga region to visit three sea ports on Thursday, and after he presided over the operational dry run of Sangley Airport in Cavite, the DOTr said.
“He started the day early, and took a Point-to-Point (P2P) Bus ride from Alabang to Greenbelt. After that, he took that particular Grab ride to MRT-3 Ayala station, where he first dropped by at the LTO License Renewal Office, then rode the train going all the way to North Avenue. He then went straight to the MRT-3 depot to inspect the ongoing rail welding assembly,” the DOTR said.
According to the agency, upon noticing that one of the welders, Richard Lebantino, had a set of broken teeth, he coordinated with Sumitomo representatives to arrange for a dental assistance package for Lebantino.
Tugade then took the MRT-3 train again from North Avenue to Taft Avenue station, and then transferred to the LRT and took the ride to Baclaran.
He proceeded to the PITX to complete his commute.
“In the course of the rides, the Secretary was keenly observing and noting the deficiencies and areas which need improvement such as ticketing booths, ventilation, signages, station passageways and escalators/elevators, and obstructions. He was animatedly engaging passengers and solicited comments and suggestions from them on how best to improve the facilities and services. He was also giving out instructions to the DOTr team who accompanied him, and required that action be immediately coordinated with, and undertaken by the concerned line agency,” the DOTr said.
Tugade had earlier scoffed at the challenge of leftist group Bayan for him to commute, saying he had long been a commuter and does this without fanfare.
