DOT, Transportation office ink deal on airport development

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a memorandum of agreement for the Institutionalized Leveraging of Infrastructure Program for Airport Development (iLipad).

"One core strategic action program of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022 is to intensify infrastructure development that will support the development and promotion of tourism circuits across the Philippine archipelago, consistent with the Tourism Act of 2009. This is aligned with the Duterte administration's Build Build Build Program to aid poverty reduction," DOT Undersecretary Arturo Boncato Jr. said.

This convergence initiative seeks to prioritize airport development programs/proposals in support of tourism development areas (TDAs) identified under the NTDP 2016-2022. The DOT shall provide technical information and support to the preparation of airport and route development programs.

It will also coordinate the preparation of the Annual Tourism Airport Infrastructure Program as part of the Annual Tourism Development Plan to be approved and endorsed by the Tourism Coordinating Council per section 98 of Republic Act 9593 to the Department of Budget and Management for funding support.

"The partnership will monitor the progress of airport projects in the TDAs as they impact the goals of higher tourism values, job generation and poverty reduction," Boncato added.

It will also explore, develop and increase the value proposition of destinations for sustainable tourism through the productive utilization of airport assets of the country and route development, he said.

iLipad leverages on the existing convergence between DOT and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for tourism roads, DPWH and DOTr for access roads to airports, and partnerships with the border control agencies and the private sector. (PIA)

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