‘Air space deal to boost Phl tourism’

TOKYO (via Smart/PLDT) – President Aquino believes a new air services agreement between the Philippines and Japan would give Philippine tourism a big boost.

Speaking before the media with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after a working lunch at the prime minister’s official residence, Aquino said the Philippines and Japan have exchanged notes on the Philippines-Japan Air Services Agreement “to benefit our respective air carriers and help realize our country’s tourism goals.”

“This will also heighten people-to-people exchanges between our countries, which are important in fostering understanding and in maintaining the strength of our relations,” he said.

Aquino thanked Japan for the development assistance to the Philippine infrastructure sector and the feasibility study on a transportation road map for Metro Manila.

“Their help will allow us to make great strides in our desire to vastly improve the state of infrastructure in the Philippines, while at the same time protecting our environment through pursuing the development of an efficient transport system that can minimize pollution,” he said.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is assisting in the project.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) was directed to undertake the formulation of a transport roadmap during a meeting of its Infrastructure Committee on Oct. 30, 2012.

NEDA requested JICA’s technical assistance in crafting the roadmap.

It is expected to guide the development of policies, priority and design of programs and projects on transport infrastructure; and harmonize all efforts of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Communications, Metro Manila Development Authority and Bases Conversion Development Authority on transport projects in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon in the short-, medium-, and long-term.

JICA’s findings show that daily transport costs in Metro Manila are expected to increase by 150 percent (from P2.4 billion in 2012 to P6 billion in 2030) if government does not act to reduce transport costs.

Findings also show that roads in Metro Manila remain congested far longer compared to the traditional rush hour traffic.

To help deal with these concerns, the roadmap gives priority to transport programs and projects in the identified areas that can be implemented, completed and/or operated within the remainder of the Aquino administration.

The short-term investment program for 2014-2016 is estimated at P520 billion.