DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said that improved inter-province and inter-island connectivity will definitely pay dividends in the long run.
The DOTr chief said that investing on improvements in inter-province and island connectivity will help bring in economic progress in the provinces, while also helping micro and small businesses flourish as well, according to Bautista.
“By recognizing the relevance of improved transport infrastructure, I am confident we can achieve sustained economic prosperity,” Bautista said at the Clark’s Ascent to Regional Hub forum.
Bautista explained that an area’s growth hinges on improved transport infrastructure that will facilitate efficient movement of people and goods.
“Our premise is that growth prospects of the country ultimately depend on efficient, accessible, safe and sustainable transport systems in land, air, water and rails,” he said.
Among the big-ticket infrastructure projects, the DOTr chief said, are in aviation, railway, maritime and road sectors, including the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), construction of the Bukidnon Airport, Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Tacloban and Kalibo Airport developments, including the New Manila International Airport project.
Part of the DOTr’s improvement in the sustainable mobility aspect is the construction of the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange, expansion of bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways, the EDSA Greenways Project, and the Cebu and Davao Bus Rapid Transit projects.
To encourage car users to instead use mass transport, the construction of rail projects such as the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, North South Commuter Railway (NSCR), MRT-7 are already underway, Secretary Bautista said.
The DOTr is also improving inter-island connectivity through various ports.