QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --"My job is to steer those multi-layered initiatives towards a common goal—a better travel experience for all. The challenge is to keep the fire of enthusiasm alive." 

Thus said,Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista during the33rd Biennial Convention of Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), where he laid out the Department’s aim of a progressive future ahead for the country’s transportation, yesterday, 25 March 2023.  

"Transportation is the key to the post-pandemic national economic recovery efforts. A critical precondition for many sectors to quickly recover is a robust and well-established transport network," Bautista said. 

Bautista laid out a preview of the array of transformational projects, programs, and initiatives of the DOTr in its four (4) sectors—the Aviation and Airports, Railways, Road Transport, and Maritime, that was approved by the board of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). 

For the Aviation and Airports sector, new airports will be welcomed in Candon and Quirino, and airports in Zamboanga, Siargao, Dumaguete and Masbate will be built, to augment its existing ones. Several international airports, such as those located in Puerto Princesa, Bicol, Kalibo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Bohol, Laguindingan, Davao, and Siargao, were likewise set forth. 

For the road sector, the EDSA Greenways Project, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, Davao High Priority Bus Project, Taguig City Terminal Exchange, Ilocos Norte Transport Hub, and El Nido Transport Terminal, among others, were discussed. 

the Railways sector, proposed flagship infrastructure projects and programs such as Skytrain—a high-tech rail system, between Fort Bonifacio and Makati, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 10 and 11, two (2) monorail lines in Cebu, Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul to Bicol, and the Subic Clark Railway Project were presented. 

Moreover, for the Maritime sector, infrastructure projects that are already NEDA-approved are Manila Bay-Pasig River-Laguna Lake Ferry System, Farm-to-Market Ports Network, Port Cold Chain Network, Roll-on Roll-off Network Upgrade, and New Cebu International Container Port. 

The DOTr remains united towards its goal of delivering a Comfortable, Accessible, Safe, and Affordable transportation for all, and stands firm in its commitment to work and deliver at full spead, to achieve a more connected archipelago that shall bring Filipinos closer together. (dotr/pia-ncr),