Roxas the New DOTC Secretary

After a year in silence, the Former Senator Mar Roxas been named by the President Benigno Aquino to replace resigned DOTC secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus.

Roxas is not new in serving the cabinet, as he was a trade secretary under presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo. In addition, some credit him for helping thePhilippinesto become a top destination for outsourcing services and call centers. He was the former running mate of President Benigno Aquino who ran for vice president but unfortunately lost.

After the one-year ban on appointing losing candidates to government post; now, he is back and will face the PPP projects under DOTC that is plan to roll out this year. Department of Transportation and Communications  (DOTC) is the coordinating agency for the 7 of the 11 Public Private Partnership (PPP). The biggest PPP contract is the P70-billion extension of LRT-1 to Bacoor,Cavite.  The contracts also include the extending LRT-2 to Antipolo, new airports inBoholand Albay, and the expansion of the airport in Puerto Princesa. The department has also vowed to make Terminal 3 of Manila’sNinoyAquinoInternationalAirportto be fully operational next year, after ages of delay.

The former Senator has now P106 billion of PPP contracts to bid out and a P30 billion budget to spend, less than education, defense and public works but about the same as social welfare, health and agriculture which is undoubtedly more than the vice president’s P185 million.