Transport infra investments to spur tourism, economic growth

Government’s investment in transport infrastructure projects will boost economic activities in the country, while generating employment and see uptick in tourist arrivals, according to Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista.

Sec. Bautista underscored on Tuesday the role the transport sector plays in increasing the productive capacity of the country’s economy.

“The transportation sector is at the forefront of boosting economic growth by efficiently moving essential services across and between islands and nations,” Sec. Bautista said during the Quezon City Travel Agencies Association’s 25th anniversary.

“The huge investments on transport infrastructure will create jobs, livelihood opportunities and increased economic activities within and around our project sites,” he added.

Groups such as the Quezon City Travel Agencies Association, said Sec. Bautista, are enablers of efficient mobility and connectivity while promoting travel and tourism.

To boost tourism and encourage international tourists to visit the Philippines, Sec. Bautista cited big-ticket projects in the aviation, railway, road and maritime sectors.

He bannered the recently turned over Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to New NAIA Infra Corp., modernization of regional airports, as among the big-ticket transport infrastructure projects of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Sec. Bautista likewise touted under construction railway projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, Metro Manila Subway, MRT-7, among others.

Other transport projects include the modernization of ports and construction of ports to accommodate cruise tourism, and expansion of bike lanes throughout the country.