TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista on Wednesday called for inter-agency coordination to help speed up the completion of big-ticket transport projects to improve mobility and connectivity.

"The success of our transport projects hinges on their timely completion, requiring the cooperation and cohesive effort of multiple agencies," Bautista said Wednesday during the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting in San Juan City organized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

Aside from Marcos and Bautista, the heads of various national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) were also present during the town hall discussions to tackle solutions to Metro Manila's traffic woes.

The transport chief said the long-term gains and benefits from these transport projects will eclipse the short-term inconveniences caused by such projects as these will offer private vehicle owners a better alternative, resulting in fewer 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," Bautista said.

He pointed out that road safety, driver discipline and the use of non-motorized vehicles will also help promote order on the road and ensure the efficient movement of vehicles.

"Our flagship road and rail infrastructures aim to alleviate traffic by offering comfortable, efficient and accessible public transport as a better alternative to private vehicle owners, thus lowering the number of road users," Bautista said.

Among the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) big-ticket infrastructure projects are 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.

During the public consultation, several Cabinet members discussed Metro Manila's traffic problem from the perspective of national government agencies. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority submitted a synthesis of proposals to address the traffic situation in the National Capital Region.

Before the town hall meeting, Marcos instructed government agencies to gather more data on easing traffic congestion in Metro Manila while prioritizing workforce productivity, submit recommendations on potential work setups and flexible work arrangements, how their respective offices will adjust, and how they will configure their work environment.

He also announced that infrastructure projects are underway in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna and Cavite.

The President said these projects will develop the areas and provide equal opportunities outside the metropolis.