The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will roll out three priority transportation Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, in accordance with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
DOTR announced Wednesday, Dec. 14, that the Committee on Public-Private Partnership Center Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) has approved the funding for project preparation studies of the North Long Haul Inter-Regional Railway (NCR-Ilocos, Cagayan), NCR EDSA Busway, and the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry.
The PDMF will engage international experts to conduct project preparation studies for these first three transportation PPP projects.
Forming part of the Luzon Railway Network along with the Subic-Clark Railway and the South Long Haul, the North Long Haul Inter-Regional Railway will connect the National Capital Region (NCR) to the regions of Ilocos and Cagayan.
The project, which includes the construction of new stations and cargo terminals, will cater to long-distance passengers and cargoes, improving access to major economic centers and strengthening supply chains for agricultural products.
0n the other hand, the NCR EDSA Busway will enhance the existing EDSA Carousel.
The project will develop new stations and upgrade existing facilities to be universally accessible, gender responsive, and climate resilient.
Capacity, comfort, and reliability of transport services will likewise be aligned to international standards.
For its part, the Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry will be a high-capacity mass transit ferry system, benefiting commuters, students, and tourists in NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A.
New ferry stations will also be built and existing facilities will be improved with intermodal transfers with other transit systems and active mobility networks.
The government is prioritizing the development of transport systems in the sectors of aviation and airports, railways, maritime, and active road transport infrastructure.
The Marcos Administration sees the “great potential” of PPPs to strengthen regional logistics networks and make commuting more affordable, according to the DOTr.
During the first 100 days, the current administration revised the Build-Operate-Transfer Law Implementing Rules and Regulations to attract more private investors and to streamline government processes.