SAN FRANCISCO - Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista on Wednesday (Thursday in PH) showcased the Philippine infraatructure transport projects of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to American investors during the 4th Phillipine Economic Briefing, a side event of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting.

Sec. Bautista said DOTr's multi-sectoral projects will “disturb” the current status quo in the transport sector and improve the country’s connectivity and mobility.

“Our transport projects highlight the efforts of our government in pushing the infrastructure agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who wants us to improve mobility and connectivity,” Sec. Bautista said.

Sec. Bautista was part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s delegation for the 30th APEC Meeting in San Francisco, California.

During the briefing, Bautista said 11 transport projects were recently approved with an estimated total project cost of USD 6.6 billion.

The transport chief explained that out of the 11 projects, eight are foreign-assisted, while the rest are funded through public-private partnerships.

Plans are also being finalized for at least 29 foreign-assisted contract packages as part of big-ticket infrastructure projects, he said.

Sec. Bautista cited the anticipated significant improvement in the country's aviation sector with the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), construction of the New Manila International Airport and modernization of 11 other regional airports are also underway.

To improve the Philippines' connectivity, several railway projects are now on overdrive with the construction of the 147-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway and MRT-7, according to the Secretary.

Bautista also reported upcoming projects - MRT-4, MRT-10, MRT-11, LRT-6 and two phases of the Mindanao Railway Project.

DOTr is improving the country’s land transport through the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) and the Cebu and Davao Bus Rapid Transits (BRTs), while putting emphasis on active transport with the establishment of bike lanes and the environment-friendly EDSA Greenways Project.

In the maritime sector, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is expecting five new multi-role response vessels to help them patrol the country’s shorelines and assert sovereignty over our exclusive economic zone.