The government is calling on private companies to invest in key infrastructure projects to accelerate construction and boost the economy.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said big-ticket transport projects are “highly investible”.
“You can discover their investment potential under the Public-Private Partnership scheme. Private sector investment will allow us to fast-track their completion,” Bautista said.
The government is open to private partners to finance transport projects due to public funding challenges, said Bautista.
He said of the 198 infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) worth P8.7 trillion approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), 73 projects are assigned to the DOTr. The department now has over 160 projects in the pipeline.
Bautista cited aviation projects involving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), Clark International Airport (CRK) and Bohol-Panglao International Airport.
Other airport projects are in Bukidnon, Catbalogan, Tacloban, Caticlan, Dumaguete, Siargao, Zamboanga, Masbate, Kalibo and the New Manila International Aiport in Bulacan.
Meanwhile, road-based transport initiatives include the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), EDSA Busway, EDSA Greenways, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT), Davao Public Transport Modernization Program (DavaoBus) and Active Transport Program.
In the maritime sector, Bautista cited the roles of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in maritime safety and security, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in commercial ports and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Filipino seafarers and Philippines-registered vessels.
Meanwhile, Bautista said among the rail projects are the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), LRT 1 Cavite Extension, MRT-7, MRT-4 and South Long-Haul Railway.
He said that the government is pushing for digitalization and technology-driven innovations to improve the country’s railway systems.
Bautista said that for the Philippines’ railway system to achieve enhanced system efficiency, “we need to embrace this digital evolution towards a people-centric transport sector transformation.”
“It is imperative that we upgrade areas where bottlenecks in the sector occur and implement proper infrastructure to increase capacity,” he said.
Bautista said the agency would prioritize digitizing the railway sector and improving its manpower through the Philippine Railway Institute (PRI).
“Digitizing Philippine railway operations means building a solid and fully connected technology stacked rail sector,” he said.
Keeping in step with the technological advancements will also improve the sector’s efficiency, he said.
By equipping railway human resources—operators, engineers, and other personnel— with the latest technology, the railway sector can develop new and better services to passengers.
Bautista cited the state-of-the-art training simulators grant from the Japanese government to the PRI, which he said is an introduction to digitalization especially with upcoming mega railway projects such as the MRT-7, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), Metro Manila Subway Project, and LRT-1 Cavite Extension.
The PRI is the country’s research and training center handling research efforts and building capacities for personnel in the railway sector.