Big Ticket Projects focuses on Mobility, Connectivity – DOTr

The Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) big-ticket projects are aimed to ensure efficient commuter mobility and increased inter-island connectivity, Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said. 

At the Metro Pacific Tollways Transport Conference, Sec. Bautista said once these mega transport projects are completed, they are “bound to stir up the status quo” in the transport sector. 

“Overarching goal of these projects is to improve mobility and connectivity because we find the status quo in the transport sector unacceptable,” Sec. Bautista said during the conference, which was also attended by Senator Raffy Tulfo. 

The transport chief pointed out that the Philippines needs to catch up in terms of infrastructure to speed up the country’s economic growth, which will translate to inclusuve progress. 

“We need to catch up in infrastructure development to be able to accelerate economic progress. Our government firmly believes an efficient transport system would lead to inclusive economic growth,” he said. 

Big-ticket airport projects include modernization of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Laguinduingan Airport, Bohol-Panglao International Airport as well as airports in Kalibo, Puerto Princesa and Iloilo. 

In the railways sector, Sec. Bautista cited the North-South Commuter Railway, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, MRT-7, MRT-4 and Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway. 

Sec. Bautista added that expressways are also being built or expanded to link the regions with Metro Manila and other urban centers. 

DOTr is also studying a Manila Bay – Pasig River – Laguna Lake River Ferry (MAPALLA) – a high-capacity, low carbon ferry system that will link Manila Bay and Laguna Lake through the Pasig River. 

Another road project is the upcoming Southeast Metro Manila Expressway that will stretch from Taguig through Pasig, Marikina, San Mateo – along the C6 highway in the eastern section of the metropolis.