Aquino vows to step up infrastructure development

AP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— President Aquino on Monday vowed to step up the development of the country’s infrastructure during his third State of the Nation Address.

He said in his speech that his administration would resolve the issues on deficiencies or inefficiencies of airports, train systems and roads in the country.

On the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3, which is not yet fully functional, he quoted Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas’ promise to fix the issues bugging the terminal before Aquino’s fourth Sona.

He also vowed to finish before the end of his term the new airports in Bohol, Bicol and Misamis Oriental, as well as the upgrading of international airports in Mactan, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Butuan, Cotabato, Dipolog, Pagadian, Tawi-Tawi, Southern Leyte and San Vicente in Palawan.

Plans to extend the Light Rail Transit 1 to Cavite started last month while there are also plans to create two more elevated NLEx-SLEx connectors, he told the nation, saying that it could improve the traffic situation in the country.

“Matatapos po ang mga ito sa 2015. Magiging one hour and 40 minutes na lang ang biyaheng Clark papuntang Calamba oras na makumpleto ang mga ito,” he said, baring plans of setting up transport terminals in Taguig, Quezon City and Paranaque for provincial buses.

He said that such improvements will be done “hindi ayon sa kickback o kursunada, pero ayon sa isang malinaw na sistema.”

“Hindi lang kalsada, kundi pati sistema, isinasaayos sa DPWH,” he vowed.