DOTr headlines major projects to fix ‘unacceptable’ transport status quo

MANILA: Department of Transportation (DOTr) Jaime Bautista has described the status quo of the Philippine transport sector as “unacceptable.” 

The government executive shared such a sentiment before presenting the agency's ongoing and upcoming large infrastructure projects at the 2024 Transport Conference organized by toll road developer and operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation. 

“Today, I was tasked to present the socio-economic dimension of our current infrastructure projects in land, air, sea, and rails. The overarching goal of these projects is to improve mobility and connectivity because we find the status quo in the transport sector unacceptable,” Bautista said. 

According to the DOTr secretary, the agency's lineup of major infrastructure developments will help alleviate many existing problems in the local transport sector. The official further noted the importance of the aforementioned initiatives for the country's economic growth. 

“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,” Bautista added. 

“At the outset, we said that the status quo in the country’s transport sector is not acceptable. We are rushing projects to reduce projects, waiting lines, smoke-belching jeepneys, flight cancellations, and many other passenger inconveniences. The mission is to make travel comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable, and affordable,” Bautista shared further. 

Some of the ongoing big road projects highlighted by Bautista are the following: 

• North Luzon Expressway Candaba third viaduct
• Manila-Cavite Exressway and Cavite-Laguna Expressway Link 
• Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (along C6)

Other road projects undergoing evaluation or have recently gained approval include the Pasig River Expressway, the Northern Access Link Expressway, and the North Luzon East Expressway. The transport agency is likewise planning to conduct the expansion of the South Luzon Expressway and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road. 

In other sectors of transport, the DOTr also signed the concession of the Languindingan International Airport in Northern Mindanao to Aboitiz InfraCapital Incorporated. Also, the construction of the New Manila International Airport (Bulacan Airport) is ongoing, and its first runways and main terminal structure are expected to rise by 2025. 

The agency has also conducted the recent inauguration for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, which is touted to reduce travel time between Baclaran, Parañaque, and Bacoor, Cavite, to just 25 minutes. Phase 1 of the said LRT extension will become operational this coming November 16, 2024. 

One of the biggest DOTr rail projects currently in progress, however, is the 147-kilometer-long North-South Commuter Railway. Once finished, it will have a total of 35 stations and will enable a travel time between Clark, Pampanga, and Makati City in just an hour. 

Additionally, the DOTr secretary shared that the construction of the upcoming Metro Manila Subway is now on “full blast.” The agency expects to add more large tunnel-boring machines in order to meet a targeted partial opening in 2028. 

To note, the projects mentioned above are just some of the infrastructure initiatives presented by Bautista at MPTC's 2024 Transport Con. Specifically, the DOTr head also presented developments related to pedestrians, sea travel, as well as the planned Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange. 

So, do you think these big infrastructure projects will help in improving the current state of local transport? 

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