CLARK FREEPORT -- Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has bared the agency's ongoing efforts to ease mobility throughout the country by building more airports all over the country.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief relayed this to the business community during the Asia CEO Forum held at Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Tuesday, February 25.
Tugade said the DOTr is working to finish over 150 more airport projects, including the Bicol International Airport that is now halfway complete (61.88 percent), and the second Passenger Terminal Building of the Clark International Airport, which is now at 90.14 percent completion rate, among others.
He also mentioned how the department helped in decongesting Edsa traffic by transferring the DOTr office in Metro Manila to Clark, Pampanga.
"We are the first government office that actually moved to Clark, pioneering the ideas we initiated ourselves," he said.
Tugade also tackled how the DOTr managed to fast-track the issuance of car plates through the (LTO) plate-making facility. "Now, we have robots that manufacture our own car plates in the country."
The transportation department head highlighted DOTr's accomplishments, such as the completion of about 120 airport projects, including the recently-launched Sangley Airport; the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), which continues to gather international recognition for its design; the country's first eco-airport, Bohol Panglao International Airport; and the La-lo International Airport in Cagayan; additional train sets for the Philippine National Railways' fleet; and comprehensive rehabilitation of MRT-3, among others.
Tugade also announced the completion of 299 commercial and social/tourism port projects nationwide, among others.
"We are an archipelago, that's why one of the best means of transportation would be maritime. This would be the main reason we are continually developing ports nationwide," he said.
He also clarified issues on the construction of Bulacan International Airport.
"The groundbreaking will soon commence. Please understand there has been simple delays because of some family matters on the part of the contractors. Out of respect, we will give them time," he said.
He also gave a preview on the forthcoming projects of the DOTr, particularly in the aviation and maritime sectors.
Capping off his speech, Tugade shared how corruption was curbed in his department.
"We have committed to stopping and eradicating corruption. This is a non-compromising situation for us. The President is committed to stopping corruption at all cost. And I tell you fellow businessmen, if you don't want your government to be corrupt, please don't corrupt us," he said.
Asia CEO Forum is the largest regular business event in the Philippines. It is one of the most important gathering in the Asia Pacific region. Senior business leaders from Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao and Clark have joined the event.