The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on July 28 began transferring its central office to Clark, Pampanga, a move in line with the creation of the country’s National Government Center.
The transfer is seen to help decongest traffic in Metro Manila, reduce travel time and improve travel of motorists, and boost development in the peripheries of the National Capital Region, the agency said in a press statement.
A series of dialogues was conducted with DOTr employees where arrangements such as provision of free shuttle services to ferry employees to and from Clark, implementing flexible time and four-day work week schedule, and availability of affordable food, were agreed upon. Discussions on subsidized accommodations are also ongoing.
DOTr employees were also given the option to transfer to any DOTr-attached agency. The same arrangement is open to employees of DOTr-attached agencies who wish to be based in Clark.
The transfer, to be rolled out in batches to ensure efficient transition, is expected to be completed by end of 2017.
The DOTr is estimated to earn an additional P9.3 million per year from the transfer, due to higher savings from lower rental and overhead costs in Clark, and potential income from leasing out its owned units in Columbia Towers in Mandaluyong.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade expressed his support for the creation of the National Government Center in Clark that will house all central offices of government agencies.
According to a study released by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in September 2014, traffic congestion in Metro Manila is costing the Philippines at least P2.4 billion a day, which, if left without intervention, is likely to reach P6 billion a day by 2030.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
