The Philippines is ramping up its collaboration with Southeast Asian neighbors to enhance its transport system and boost regional connectivity, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista announced.
At the 30th ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting, Bautista joined other ASEAN officials in endorsing initiatives for 2025, including the adoption of Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights, which allows airlines to operate flights with stopovers in other ASEAN territories. This measure aims to enhance air connectivity, stimulate tourism, and foster economic integration across the region.
The ASEAN ministers also tackled key frameworks such as the ASEAN Guidelines on Light Electric Vehicles (LEV), Urban Freight Transport (UFT), Port Sector Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and Port Digitalization and Automation.
The event included discussions with China, Japan, and South Korea on future collaborative projects, as well as engagements with development partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank, focusing on sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure.
Philippine officials also held bilateral meetings with the International Transport Forum and the US-ASEAN Business Council, covering supply chain resilience, transport safety, and sustainable transport solutions.
Joining Bautista were senior officials from various agencies, including the Civil Aviation Authority of the