Lawyer Jose Arturo Maddela Tugade, son of former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, was appointed head of the Land Transportation Office, ending the confusion that he would head the Manila International Airport Authority—both agencies previously under his father.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista announced his appointment with LTO holding the turnover on Monday.
Bautista said Tugade “is best suited for the very challenging job in the LTO.” Tugade will replace Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III, who will serve as DOTr assistant secretary for the road sector.
Bautista said he has talked to the president about how Tugade can address the problems at the LTO.
“We immediately asked the indulgence of the President and explained the gravity of the situation in the LTO and the importance of the work that has to be done as well as the willingness of attorney J Art to do it. In the end, the President understood the situation,” Bautista said.
Tugade’s latest appointment puts an end to the confusion on the MIAA’s leadership with the return of aviation industry veteran Cesar Chiong as its general manager.
Tugade’s first appointment at the MIAA caused confusion as it was announced even as Chiong had barely warmed his seat as general manager. MIAA operates the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Despite Tugade’s reported appointment, Chiong stayed on as MIAA chief.
The MIAA operates and administers the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the central hub for air travel and transport in the Philippines