The Department of Transportation (DOTr) conducted initial talks with the United States of America for technical assistance in railway and maritime projects.
During Thursday's meeting (Oct. 14) with DOTr Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, US Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson, Ambassador Carlson discussed possible technical assistance for the P82 Billion Mindanao Railway.
The assistance will be coursed through the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
It will cover early stage project preparation and developing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) structure to increase private sector investment and participation in the project.
Ambassador Carlson also offered to provide training assistance to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the operational maintenance of PCG’s vessels.
Furthermore, the US Ambassador informed Secretary Bautista of the satisfactory findings of the US Transportation Security Administration (US-TSA) on its recent security assessment of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as well as of local airlines flying to the US.
The US-TSA, an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security exercising authority over the security of transportation systems within, and connecting to the United States.
It was created in the wake of 9/11 to strengthen the security of the nation's transportation systems while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce.