THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is already coordinating with multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fund more transport infrastructure projects to help the country achieve sustainable development.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Friday that the transport agency will continue to tap the ADB to open “opportunities for equitable progress and growth for business, investment, tourism and employment.”
“To achieve this program, we [must] undertake initiatives that address connectivity and efficient mobility,” said Secretary Bautista during the 3rd DOTr-ADB Coordination Meeting.
Data shows that there are nine agreements between the DOTr and ADB, which will fund transport infrastructure projects from aviation, railways and road sectors. The total agreements amount to P1.2 trillion.
Among the ADB-funded projects are North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), MRT-4, Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, EDSA Greenways Project, as well as the multi-sectoral Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility – Output 3. The South Commuter Railway Project, which is part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) network, is ADB’s largest infrastructure financing in the Asia and Pacific region.
Meanwhile, the ADB has a total of 17 upcoming and ongoing contract packages with at least P187 billion in cost estimate.
Apart from funding, the DOTr also seeks the ADB’s technical assistance in terms of developing an all sectors lifecycle monitoring and evaluation framework, local tax experts (LTEs), and development of right-of-way acquisition (ROWSA) manual for ADB-financed projects.
The transport chief stressed that the ADB-funded projects will help position the Philippines as a dynamic investment hub and an emerging gateway country to Asia.
“We are optimistic that the ADB would appreciate the investment prospects in the Philippines towards boosting the country’s economic growth and addressing the social needs of Filipinos,” Secretary Bautista said.
ADB Director General for Southeast Asia Winfried Wicklein for his part expressed the multilateral agency’s support to the Philippines to improve the country’s transport system.
“We are looking forward to continuing thinking through and programming future support,” Director General Wicklein said.
