A TOP official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that the government’s big-ticket infrastructure transport projects show the country’s commitment of pushing for sustainable urban mobility, which will bring transformational changes in Asia’s transportation sector.
DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan made this comment during the 16th Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport Forum in Asia, which Batan said the Philippines is hosting as part of manifesting the DOTr’s push for sustainable transport in the country as well as in the region.
“The Government of the Philippines – Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) hosting of this forum attests to our steadfast commitment of championing sustainable urban mobility not only as a necessity but as moral imperative,” Batan quipped.
He said the DOTr recognizes the urgent need for transportation initiatives for green recovery to curb climate change by reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector.
“As a nation that is most susceptible to the effects of climate change, growing pollution, and loss of nature and biodiversity, the Philippine transport sector reaffirms its determination to cooperate for the implementation of transformational changes within our country, as well as among the countries in the region,” he added.
He continued by citing the various completed and ongoing transport projects that contribute to the collective effort of having sustainable urban mobility solutions.
These projects include the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), Metro Manila Subway Project , LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, and MRT-7.
The implementation of various road sector projects and programs such as the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), EDSA Greenways Project, EDSA Busway, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, and Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange are seen to transform the road public transport landscape, Batan explained.
The DOTr official added that various airport and seaport projects are developed, implemented, operated, and maintained in accordance with international social and environmental safeguards.
“The transport sector is seen to play a critical role in sustainable development and holds great potential to further increase the region’s climate ambition,” he pointed out.