The recently approved Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, will expand and improve the country’s transportation system, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the plan includes strategies to develop active transport infrastructure, such as segregated lanes, bike-only roads, shade trees, showers, widened sidewalks, and at-grade pedestrian crossings.
It calls for establishing mass transportation systems, such as railways, bus rapid transit, and ferries, Bautista said.
At the same time, the PDP requires high levels of service, universal accessibility, gender inclusivity, sustainability, seamless intermodal transfers, last mile connectivity, and an interoperable national automated fare collection system.
Other strategies under the development plan include strengthening the nautical highway by expanding seaports to accommodate more and larger roll-on/roll-off vessels.
Logistics infrastructure, such as cold chain facilities to support agriculture and trade, are covered.
Furthermore, the PDP provides for the upgrade of existing airports and building new ones—with an emphasis on safety, levels of service, promotion of tourism, and future-proofing.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved the PDP last Dec.16, as the country's blueprint for social and economic development for the next six years.
The approval came in the wake of extensive collaboration and consultation among the national government, local governments, private sector, civil society, and development partners.