Aquino wants Roxas to 'reorganize' DOTC

Aside from reviewing problematic contracts, President Benigno Aquino III ordered newly appointed Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II to reorganize the department. "I think that will be the first order of business, to really organize the DOTC and have them produce one voice," Aquino told reporters Monday afternoon when asked on his marching orders to Roxas. Aquino said he was informed by the DOTC about a supposed irregularity on a roll on- roll off project (RORO) but when he raised questions about it, a DOTC executive wondered what was it all about. "They were the ones who informed me... they are also the ones asking me why I'm questioning it. They asked me to question it [but] when I questioned it, one of their undersecretaries is wondering why I'm questioning it," he said. He did not name the undersecretary he was referring to. Earlier in the day, Roxas took his oath as the new DOTC chief. In a chat with reporters, Roxas vowed to act as a ‘pain killer’ to the President. Roxas likewise said he will meet with the agencies under him and ask them their situation, challenges, budgetary limitations, if any, and the bids and contracts they are handling. "Aalamin ko kung ano ang strengths, weaknesses, opportunities in the delivery of service. Hindi naman basta-basta na magde-decision tayo (sa revamp) na walang basehan. Mahalaga na professional, clear straightforward and time bound and specific and measurable lahat ng gagawin natin," he said. Aquino said he also wanted his defeated vice presidential running mate to check on the status of the railway project to Bicol. "The commitment is by November this year tatakbo ang kabuuan. That's from Tutuban if I'm not mistaken to Bicol. I think if it's fully operational, yan ang una naming biyahe gagawin. Maraming nag-volunteer," he said. "We will try it ourselves. Baka ako feeling ko dapat i-surprise para makita kung ano talaga ang quality of service of PNR going south," he added. He also wanted an update on the Light Railway Transit project that will serve Antipolo, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and Cavite. — RSJ, GMA News