By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
At the Metro Pacific Tollways Transport Conference on Thursday (Nov. 14), Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista reiterated that the aim of big-ticket projects is to ensure efficient commuter mobility and increase inter-island connectivity, claiming that they are “bound to stir up the status quo” in the transport sector.
“[The] overarching goal of these projects is to improve mobility and connectivity because we find the status quo in the transport sector unacceptable,” Sec. Bautista said during the conference.
“We need to catch up in infrastructure development to be able to accelerate economic progress. Our government firmly believes an efficient transport system would lead to inclusive economic growth,” he added.
Big-ticket airport projects include modernization of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Laguinduingan Airport, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport, as well as airports in Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, and Iloilo City.
In the railways sector, Sec. Bautista cited the North-South Commuter Railway, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, MRT-7, MRT-4, and Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway.
Sec. Bautista added that expressways are also being built or expanded to link the regions with Metro Manila and other urban centers. Another road project is the upcoming Southeast Metro Manila Expressway that will stretch from Taguig through Pasig, Marikina, and San Mateo along the C6 highway in the eastern section of the metropolis.
Meanwhile, the DOTr is also studying the Manila Bay – Pasig River – Laguna Lake River Ferry (MAPALLA)—a high-capacity, low carbon ferry system that will link Manila Bay and Laguna Lake through the Pasig River.
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