-
The Department of Transportation is collaborating with the US to identify areas of cooperation to enhance the Philippines’ transport systems
-
This cooperation spans across the four main sectors, namely: aviation, maritime, railways, and public transportation
-
Tackled during the meeting were various areas of cooperation, including tightened security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and modernization of regional airports, the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas cargo railway, improvement and modernization of seaports and Philippine Coast Guard, and road transport initiatives
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is collaborating with the US to identify areas of cooperation to improve the country’s transport systems.
The first coordination meeting between the DOTr and the US on September 16 was aimed at improving infrastructure across aviation, maritime, railways, and public transportation sectors.
“We would like to get support especially in areas where the US is very much advanced. The DOTr is hoping that we can get support and advice from the US to improve our transport systems,” said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the meeting.
The US’ support to the Philippines, especially in the aspect of transportation is vital to the country to enable it to unleash its economic potential, Bautista added.
Tackled during the meeting were various areas of cooperation, including tightened security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and modernization of regional airports, the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) cargo railway, improvement and modernization of seaports and Philippine Coast Guard, and road transport initiatives.
US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the US strongly supports the Philippines’ infrastructure goals and “cement the enduring value of the US-Philippine economic partnership.”
As a critical growth area, Carlson said the Luzon economic corridor will “unleash the corridor’s economic potential.”
The Luzon Economic Corridor, a product of the trilateral summit between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan, includes key projects like the SCMB cargo railway.
READ: US, PH, Japan launch Luzon Economic Corridor Steering Committee
