Nat’l Transport Policy on track for approval

MANILA, Philippines - The government is on track in the development of the infrastructure and transport sector with the looming approval of the National Transport Policy (NTP).

The NTP will ensure coordination among transport agencies to bring about a more integrated transport network and centralize collection, monitoring and evaluation of much needed information and statistics to track the development of the sub-sector.

Based on the Socio-Economic Report (SER) 2010-2012 of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), several expansion programs are planned for existing transport infrastructure facilities across all modes. Among the priorities is bidding out the capacity expansion for the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3).

Prospects for the roads and bridges sub-sector will also involve Public- Private partnership (PPP) programs to augment regular General Appropriations Act (GAA) budget allocations, including the development of long-term road maintenance programs for national roads and PPP Bridge Programs, and the implementation of the High Standard Highway Master Plan for Metro Manila and 200-kilometer radius where priority expressway projects will be developed.

In response to the growing traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Sky Bridge Project will also be studied.

The Sky Bridge project is an elevated, two-way road right on top of the San Juan River. It will be a steel-and-concrete snake stretching 6.75 kilometers from E. Rodriguez Ave. in Quezon City to J. P. Rizal St. in Makati City. It will also be passing through parts of Manila, Mandaluyong and San Juan.

The proposed six-lane road (three in each direction) will stand on pillars and towering A-shaped pylons, the latter promising to be a new landmark on the Metro skyline. Motorists coming from ground-level streets can access the Skybridge through strategically located ramps. The riverbed, which is made of adobe, can support such a massive structure.

An improved road-based transit system and information technology (IT)-enabled regulatory and enforcement system will also be pursued.

The government shall continue to pursue the integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach as the overall strategy in the water resources sector.

For the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, government wants to implement a consistent and transparent regulatory environment conducive to private sector investments.

The secondary networks of ports and airports will be improved to provide alternative routes to tourist, traders, and regular commuters. The completion of the RORO Spine Project should provide quality and adequate multimodal transport services through a combination of quality superhighway systems and modern, fast and safe RORO ferry services with matching port/terminal facilities.