The government’s big-ticket infrastructure projects in tandem with the more humble undertakings of the Department of Transportation will help boost tourism in far-flung areas and unlock economic potentials in the provinces.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the agency’s transport projects should also help cement the Philippines as a prime tourism destination and ensure tourists enjoy their travel and vacation.
“Improving and modernizing the country’s transportation system will be crucial to ensure tourists enjoy their travel and vacation experience,” Bautista said.
He added the DOTr and the Department of Tourism (DOT) are working together to boost tourist arrivals and encourage foreign tourists to visit the Philippines.
“We are closely coordinating with the Department of Tourism towards boosting tourist arrivals,” he said.
Bautista cited big-ticket projects in the aviation, railways, maritime and road sector designed to improve mobility and connectivity across the country and maximize tourism opportunities.
To accommodate more local and foreign tourists, Bautista said several airport projects including the newly-opened passenger terminal building at the Clark International Airport (CRK), the construction of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite, and the enhancement programs at both the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Bicol International Airport have been undertaken.
According to Bautista, the ongoing railway projects should also unlock the economic potential of the northern and southern provinces of the country and at the same time address traffic congestion in the country’s capital.
Among the railway projects still under construction include the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, Metro Manila Subway Project, Common Station, MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, PNR North and South Long-Haul Project, Subic-Clark Railway, and the Mindanao Railway.
To ease the mobility requirements of commuters, the DOTr also commits to improve services at the EDSA Busway.
In the maritime sector, the DOTr and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) commit to improve commercial and social-tourism ports to more efficiently move passengers and goods while lowering logistic costs and shipping fees.
