-
The Department of Transportation has invited Italian investors to participate in developing major transport infrastructure projects across the Philippines
-
Transport chief Jaime Bautista presented the Philippine’s major infrastructure projects such as the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway, the South Long Haul Project, and a potential cable car system in Baguio City at the 8th High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations on Nov. 6
-
Bautista urged Italian companies to explore public-private partnerships for transport projects due to limited government resources
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) invited Italian investors to participate in developing major transport infrastructure projects across the Philippines.
Speaking at the 8th High-Level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations on November 6, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista highlighted the viability and business potential of major infrastructure projects in the transportation sector.
“We are presenting these projects to you, hoping Italian business leaders and company owners would consider the investment viability of our transport infrastructures,” said Bautista.
Among the significant infrastructure projects on the table are the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas Railway freight line, which aims to streamline goods movement across Luzon, the South Long Haul Project for long-distance rail connectivity, and a feasibility study for a cable car system in Baguio City to ease traffic and enhance tourism.
The transport chief encouraged Italian firms to consider Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), stressing that the Philippines is looking to collaborate with private sector partners amid budgetary constraints.
“We prefer to implement projects by partnering with the private sector through a PPP arrangement. To overcome budgetary constraints, we turn to private investors or international financial institutions or foreign governments,” Bautista said.
Other countries, including Japan, the U.S., China, and several European nations, have supported Philippine transportation projects, Bautista said during the dialogue.
He added that the DOTr’s vision extends beyond individual projects, with a focus on creating a “comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable, and affordable” travel experience for everyone.
“These transport infrastructures can become avenues for bilateral cooperation once evaluated and explored. Our rapidly changing transport industry depicts the massive infrastructure development being pursued by the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he said.
