THE ASIAN Development Bank's (ADB) technical and financial assistance to the country's big-ticket transportation projects is crucial in ensuring their timely completion, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said ADB's assistance helped complete transport projects before the end of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“We derive much confidence in being able to complete these projects with ADB by our side because we need to complete all these projects,” he said during the 4th DOTr-ADB coordination meeting.
ADB’s investments-approved projects for the DOTr -- worth PHP244.9 billion -- include the modernization and rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway system, Metro Railway Transit Line 4, EDSA Greenways Project, and the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project.
The ADB-assisted Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility (IPIF) would help the DOTr plan, execute, and implement public infrastructure projects by addressing key problems in infrastructure planning, design, and implementation.
The IPIF was funded through a technical assistance loan from ADB and aims to help both the DOTr and the Department of Public Works and Highways to deliver effective and innovative infrastructure projects.
During the event, ADB Southeast Asia Department Director General Winfried Wicklein said ADB’s investments in the Philippines have focused on improving the transportation sector and the Marcos administration’s Build, Better, More Program.
“We reaffirm our strong commitment towards the Secretary, to the partnership, and working with you closely on the Build, Better More Program towards closing the infrastructure gap,” Wicklein said. (Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)
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