THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) Jaime Bautista recognized that the media play an important role to raise awareness among the public about the projects and benefits of the agency’s infrastructure projects, specifically the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
He made the remark during the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Forum 2023 held today, where he called on the members of the media to help the agency reach out and inform the public of the DOTr’s transformational projects.
Bautista enumerated the benefits of these projects, adding that they are expected to “disturb” the status quo and herald a transformational change in the transport sector.
He emphasized that the DOTr is already fast-tracking the completion of these projects that will hopefully reduce traffic, waiting lines, smoke-belching jeepneys, flight cancellations and many other inconveniences that passengers undergo on almost a daily basis.
“We want our projects to disturb the status quo. That’s because at the outset, we said the status quo in the country’s transport sector is unacceptable,” Secretary Bautista stressed.
The transport chief explained that the transport agency’s thick portfolio of projects are likewise seen to pump prime the local economy and benefit those from the economic ladder.
“Wherever we build railway systems, bike lanes, expressways or airports and seaports, local communities benefit from long-term job opportunities, increased economic activity, even significant rise in real estate levels,” he said.
Among the big-ticket infrastructure projects he mentioned are the modernization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), construction of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA), and the upgrade of regional airports in the provinces of Bukidnon, Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Kalibo, Caticlan, Laguindingan, Siargao, Zamboanga, Masbate and Cotabato.
As for the railways sector, several projects are also on overdrive, according to the DOTr chief, which includes the Metro Manila Subway, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, MRT-7, and North South Commuter Railway (NSCR).
Sustainable road transport projects, on the other hand, are also being built such as the establishment of bike lanes, and the construction of Bus Rapid Transits in Cebu and Davao.
The DOTr is also pushing for the modernization of Public Utility Vehicles as well as the promotion of active transport through walking via the EDSA Greenways Project.
Bautista added the agency is also pushing for the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and seaports throughout the country.