President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday assured the public of improved transportation systems across the country.
The President made the assurance during the ceremonial signing of loan agreement for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP).
The Chief Executive stressed the much-needed modernization of the transport system in the country alluding to the administration’s “whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach” in addressing the persistent problems on mass transportation.
“We need to work together to pursue the much-needed modernization of our transport system in vital parts of the country, whether through better roads, highways, and even railways,” Marcos said.
The modernization of the transport system in Davao City will create an integrated network of 29 routes that will connect major commercial centers in metropolitan Davao.
The government looked at the DPTMP with an eye on building socio-economic opportunities for local residents in the region.
“As it opens its doors to visitors and investors, the city will be rewarded with increased business opportunities. Evidently, increased commercial activities necessarily bring more people which means more vehicles on the streets, busier roads, and hence, heavier traffic,” Marcos said.
Marcos also assured residents and families that might be displaced by development of financial and non-monetary assistance.
“Lest we forget, coupled with this grand vision of building an efficient mode of transportation are the unavoidable issues that also need our immediate attention, such as the families who will be displaced by the implementation of the program,” the President said.
He also thanked the Asian Development Bank for supporting the project.
The ADB has been part of the modernization project as early as 2010 when it was envisioned.
On May 23, Marcos and ADB president Masatsugu Asakawa met at ADB headquarters in Pasig City as the Philippines received $4 billion worth of funding from the bank as part of the administration’s socio-economic and infrastructure development plans for 2023.
The projects covered by the funding were the DPTMP, Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project, and the Integrated Floor Resilience and Adaptation Project.
From 2010 to 2022, ADB’s annual loan financing for the Philippines averaged at $1.4 billion.