Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV is calling on the government to focus on improving and integrating the country’s key logistics infrastructure to avoid a repeat of transport fiascos such as the port congestion and the Christmas chaos at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
Under Senate Resolution No. 1115, Aquino called for an inquiry on which transportation infrastructure projects to prioritize and on how to improve systems efficiency to streamline operations and improve services at seaports, airports, expressways, and national roads.
“There is a need for the government to improve its limited network of seaports, airports and expressways so as not to inconvenience the transport of passenger and goods to different parts of the country,” Aquino, who is also chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, said.
Aquino’s resolution will be tackled on March 4 by the Committee on Economic Affairs.
Last year, Filipino and foreign travellers alike experienced heavy traffic and congestion at the country’s major ports, airports and toll ways, according to the resolution. These included massive traffic recorded on the North and South Luzon expressways during the holidays, numerous flight cancellations and delays especially at NAIA T3 during the Christmas break, and congestion at Manila ports.
Aquino said the government must conduct periodic planning to identify critical road segments and undertake feasibility and economic analyses to determine the investment and improvement needs of the transportation infrastructure system.
“Different government agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) need to intensify their inter-agency work plan and strategy in order to address the recurring heavy traffic in the flow of goods and passengers in the country,” the senator said.
He stressed that ground and air transportation infrastructure facilities are crucial for economic development, domestic and foreign investment, and the growth of the tourism industry, as well as job creation to reduce poverty in the Philippines.
“The quality, adequacy and accessibility of infrastructure facilities and services are needed in order to achieve efficient movement of people and goods, and this ultimately impacts on the country’s competitiveness,” Aquino said.
Recently, the National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by President Benigno Aquino II approved six transport infrastructure projects—North-South Luzon Railway masterplan, Panguil Bay Bridge Project, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Project, and re-bidding of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway.
The government has also allotted P451.8 billion for massive infrastructure programs in 2015 to address last year’s underspending issue.
Of the total, DPWH received the biggest amount with P303.2 billion, an increase of 37.9% from P219.9 billion last year.
Of that budget, P185.8 billion will be allotted for the completion of all national roads by 2016 and all bridges along national roads by 2015.
The DOTC, on the other hand, has a budget of P59.5 billion in 2015, higher by 21.9% compared to last year’s budget of P48.8 billion. – Roumina Pablo
Image courtesy of nipitphand at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
