Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista made the commitment during the recent 30th ASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and pledged to establish better partnerships with the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) member states and ensure a modern and efficient transport system throughout the country,
The two-day meeting focused on the signing of Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights, enabling airlines from ASEAN Member States to operate flights with stopover rights within other ASEAN territories, which aims to boost regional air connectivity, stimulate tourism, and deepen economic integration within the region.
The ASEAN Ministers likewise tackled the ASEAN Guidelines on Urban Freight Transport (UFT), ASEAN Guidelines on Port Sector Public-Private Partnership (PPP), and ASEAN Guidelines on Port Digitalization and Automation. They also discussed current and future collaborative projects with China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.
A special session with development partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), UNESCAP, World Bank, and International Transport Forum (ITF), facilitated discussions on national and regional priorities requiring international support to enhance sustainable mobility in ASEAN.
The Philippine delegation also participated in bilateral meetings with the International Transport Forum (ITF) and the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC), which focused on supply chain resilience, transport safety in road and aviation, decentralized identity infrastructure, and sustainable transportation solutions.
H.E. Mr. Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport of Malaysia, chaired the meeting which was preceded by the Fifty-Eighth ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) and their consultations with Dialogue Partners.
The meeting was encouraged by the progress in the development of the ASEAN Transport Sectoral Plan (ATSP) 2026-2030, building upon the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan 2016-2025.
The ATSP 2026-2030 will address the evolving demands of seamless connectivity, global trade, climate commitments, and economic growth, ensuring that ASEAN remains competitive and well-connected in the global landscape, in support and alignment with the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030.
Joining Sec. Bautista during the two-day meetings were Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Cecilio Lim, Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Jesus Ferdinand Ortega, Undersecretary for Philippine Railways Institute Anneli Lontoc, Assistant Secretary for Maritime Julius Yano, and Assistant Secretary for Railways Jorjette Aquino. (Edu Lopez)
