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The Department of Transportation is inviting anew private sector participation in big-ticket infrastructure projects
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The agency is also actively pursuing the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to complete expensive transport undertakings
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Such projects as the EDSA Busway, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, 10 provincial airports, and a network of seaports in the country will be offered to the private sector
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing anew private sector participation in big-ticket infrastructure projects.
At the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Mobility Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on October 21, Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista invited private sector participation in multi-billion peso projects, noting such would have a high impact in passengers, making shorter travel time and providing convenient, safe and affordable travel.
“In this post-pandemic era, we are taking a sustained approach at promoting mobility for both ease of travel but efficient transport of goods,” Bautista said.
“Transport projects that advocate mobility are not restricted to the road sector. There are ongoing and planned projects in aviation, railways and maritime that need our equal attention,” he added.
“We are pushing the pedal to the metal at complying with President Marcos’ order to fast-track these transport infrastructure projects, so Filipinos can enjoy their benefits at the earliest possible time.”
Pushing PPP scheme
Earlier at the 48th Philippine Business Conference and Expo, Bautista also encouraged private participation, noting that the agency is actively pursuing the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to complete big-ticket transportation infrastructure projects.
With other DOTr projects encountering limited budgets, he said the private sector’s participation in completing big projects is “crucial.”
He said: “Allow me to emphasize the need to undertake crucial transport infrastructure project in collaboration with the private sector… We are therefore actively pursuing the Public-Private Partnership scheme to complete a number of these projects.”
Bautista said government is confident the private sector, with its expertise, can bring ambitious projects to completion.
Bautista said DOTr will invite private sector participation in privatizing projects such as the EDSA Busway, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, 10 provincial airports, and a network of seaports in the country.
“We plan to invite as many private sector participations in our infrastructure projects, such as the privatization of the EDSA Carousel, the operation of our seaports, the privatization of 10 provincial airports, the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project and many more,” he said, adding that completing these projects will increase the efficiency and productivity of Filipinos.
He added the PPP scheme will not only generate investments and generate employment for Filipinos but promote transport connectivity and reduce logistics costs.
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