The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has started laying down the groundwork for the implementation of P4.775 trillion worth of transport projects, which the department said, will improve the country’s growth potential and provide comfortable sea, air and land travels.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the 73 projects with a P4.775 trillion budget are part of the P8 trillion worth of flagship infrastructure projects that were approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
“We are now doubling its efforts towards completing a modernized Philippines' transportation landscape. These projects are aimed at making the transport service throughout the country comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable, and affordable,” said Bautista.
DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Timothy John Batan said some of the 73 projects entrusted to the department are ongoing while the rest are expected to start in the coming months.
Batan said the projects include the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Solicited PPP Project, New Manila International Airport Project, Laguindingan Airport Project, New Dumaguete International Airport, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
He said at least 24 airport projects were entrusted to the DOTr.
On the other hand, Batan said they will also implement 25 more maritime projects, including the New Cebu International Container Port Project, apart from the ongoing five Maritime projects mostly from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Part of the maritime projects, he said, is the acquisition of five additional multi-role response vessels that will be used by the PCG in patrolling the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, included in the over 50 big-ticket railways projects being prepared are the three segments of the massive North-South Commuter Railways (NSCR) System—the (Philippine National Railways (PNR) North 1, PNR North 2, and PNR South Commuter.
In addition, Batan said the DOTr is also working on the country's first ever underground mass rail infrastructure—the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) as well as the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, LRT-2 West Extension, MRT-3 Rehabilitation and Maintenance, MRT-4, MRT-7, and Common Station.
Also, around 40 Road Transport and Infrastructure projects will be implemented such as the EDSA Greenways, EDSA Busway, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit and Davao Public Transport Modernization Project.