The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking the cooperation of various stakeholders, including foreign and local business groups, to speed up the implementation of 73 infrastructure projects worth P4.8 trillion.
This developed as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board said it is likely to approve at least three to four more infrastructure projects before the year ends.
Speaking at the Pilipinas Conference in Makati City yesterday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said due to agency’s limited fiscal space, it has “resorted to seeking private sector support.”
“We need the cooperation of various stakeholders including foreign and local business groups who have expressed keen interest in our highly investible transport projects,” Bautista said.
Of the total 197 Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFP) with total cost of over P8 trillion approved by the NEDA, 73 are being undertaken by DOTr, including around 28 projects under the aviation sector, 26 under maritime, 59 under railways and 47 under the road sector.
Meanwhile, the DOTr is looking into official development assistance, public-private partnership and government funds to finance the construction of three major railway projects: the Bicol-South Long Haul, first phase of the Mindanao Railway and the Subic-Clark Railway.
The three projects are included in the 73 IFPs.
Bautista said the DOTr is in talks with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
Bautista said DOTr will seek NEDA’s approval to update the three rail projects’ costs, including the additional cost of materials and labor as these projects were approved during the previous administration.
Other DOTr projects in the pipeline are the privatization of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and the modernization of several airports, such as those in Bukidnon, Catbalogan, Dumagete, Tacloban, Kalibo, Caticlan, Laguindingan, Siargao, Zamboanga, Masbate and Cotabato.
The DOTr is also poised to improve mobility and connectivity through railways with the ongoing construction of the North-South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway and the Metro Rail Transit line 7.
Road transport is also given priority with the modernization of public utility vehicles and the EDSA Busway, while prioritizing active mobility with the establishment of bicycle lanes throughout the country and the EDSA Greenways project.
Meanwhile, Joseph Capuno, NEDA undersecretary for investment programming group, said on the sidelines of the same conference the next NEDA Board meeting, and likely the last for the year, is scheduled on December 14 where three or four at least are lined up.
Capuno also said the executive order (EO) that will enable the expeditious processing of licenses, clearances, permits, certifications and authorizations for the IFPs will be issued soon.
The primary goal of this proposed EO is to minimize if not eliminate delays in the implementation of IFPs. – With Angela Celis
