PBBM, Cabinet tackle plans for maritime, aviation sectors

CABINET MEETING. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. presides over the 11th Cabinet meeting at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday morning (Oct. 11, 2022). Marcos and his Cabinet discussed the administration’s plans to develop and upgrade the maritime and aviation industries. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Press Secretary)

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet on Tuesday discussed the administration’s plans to develop and upgrade the maritime and aviation industries.

In a Facebook post, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said the improvement of the two sectors tops the agenda of the 11th Cabinet meeting convened by Marcos at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday morning.

“Tinalakay ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at ng kanyang Gabinete ang mga plano at nararapat na hakbangin para mas mapaunlad pa ang maritime at aviation sectors sa bansa sa katatapos lang na Cabinet meeting, ngayong araw, Oktubre 11 (During the Cabinet meeting held today, October 11, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his Cabinet discussed ways to improve the maritime and aviation sectors in the country),” the OPS said.

The OPS did not elaborate on the government’s plans for the maritime and aviation sectors.

On Oct. 6, Marcos said his administration is serious about pursuing big-ticket infrastructure projects to sustain the country’s economic growth despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and global challenges.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, during the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines Forum on Monday, said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is fast-tracking the completion of key projects in the aviation, maritime sectors, railway, and road sectors to generate more economic activities in the country.

The DOTr, Bautista said, is also building more airports and seaports and modernizing existing ones to address air and maritime connectivity needs.

The DOTr is targeting the completion of PHP1 trillion worth of airport projects by 2023.

The projects include the construction and rehabilitation of Antique Airport, Bacolod-Silay Airport, Catbalogan Airport, Davao International Airport, M’lang Airport, Ozamiz Airport, San Vicente Airport, Sanga-Sanga Airport in Tawi-Tawi, Tacloban Airport, and Tuguegarao Airport.

The airports in Bacolod, Bicol, Bohol, Busuanga, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laguindingan, Puerto Princesa, and Siargao will also be upgraded, expanded, and operated under the public-private partnership scheme.

Four new regional airports will also be built in Dumaguete, Masbate, Siargao, and Zamboanga.

Bautista said the DOTr will also tap the Pasig River Ferry System as alternative transportation for commuters.

The Maritime Safety Enhancement Project, which aims to modernize and reinforce the Philippine Coast Guard, will also continue to ensure the country’s maritime safety and security, he added.