The long term gains and benefits from big ticket transport projects will eclipse the short-term inconveniences caused by such projects as these will help improve mobility and connectivity en masse, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

Sec. Bautista said during the Bagong Pilipinas Townhall Meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., that the transport projects will offer private vehicle owners a better alternative, resulting to lesser vehicles on the roads.

“I want to emphasize the long-term goal of our transport infrastructure projects, such as ongoing construction of railway systems, in providing permanent solutions to the traffic problem in the metropolis,” Sec. Bautista said.

“Our flagship road and rail infrastructures aim to alleviate traffic by offering comfortable, efficient and accessible public transport as better alternative to private vehicle owners, thus lowering the number of road users,” he added.

Among the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) big ticket infrastructure projects include the MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, improvement of the EDSA Busway, and EDSA Greenways Project.

The transport chief urged inter-agency coordination to help speed up the completion of these projects.

“The success of our transport projects hinges on their timely completion, requiring the cooperation of multiple agencies. It requires a cohesive effort with agencies,” he pointed out.

Road safety, driver discipline and use of non-motorized vehicles will also help promoting order on the road and ensure efficient movement of vehicles, according to Sec. Bautista.

Various national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) were present during the town hall discussions to tackle solutions in solving and alleviating Metro Manila’s traffic woes.